Todt focused on the 2004 season and spoke about the upcoming one, revealing that he was pleased to find himself at Wroom for the twelfth consecutive year on the eve of a very important season. ‘Compared to last year’, began Todt, ‘what has changed is my role. Since the first of June it has been that of Ferrari’s Direttore Generale. This is a role that has allowed me a 360° view of the company. Seeing things from this perspective I can say that 2004 was a record year: we produced and sold almost five thousand cars. We also presented two new models: the 612 Scaglietti and the F430, which we expect to attain the same levels of success as the 360 Modena. We have further created a new Brand Development&Partners division which deals with licensing and merchandising. As regards races, Ferrari won the Constructors’ title and Michael took his fifth consecutive Drivers’ crown. Rubens placed second and in total we scored 15 victories in 18 eighteen races. As concerns the production of GT cars, in 2005 we presented the 575 Superamerica in Detroit, the fastest convertible in the world. With its transparent roof it has already earned widespread praise.’ ‘On the sporting side of things the next appointment will be the presentation of the new Formula 1 single seater. This will take place at the end of February. We will begin the championship with the F2004B, the version from 2004 modified in line with the regulation changes that come into force in 2005. We plan to use the car in the first four Grand Prix races of the season. As regards the Team, I can say that there is stability and continuity given that since 1997 the set up has remained the same. Obviously we have introduced new resources to prepare for the future. We would like this unrepeatable cycle to last as long as possible and my job is to assure that Ferrari continues to be as successful in the future as it is today’.

What are the ingredients for such a long period of success? ‘There are at least three elements. The stability of the team that I spoke about earlier; the selection of the right partner, a fundamental element, and the importance of giving members of the team the chance to grow professionally. The most striking example is the case of Costa’.

This year the championship will be particularly long. What will be the most important aspects in the running of a squad facing such a tough test? ‘A competitive and reliable car will be fundamental as the gap between one race and another will be very short. This means that there will be very little time to modify the cars. The crucial factor will be to have a competitive package from the off’.

What type of championship is expected in the light of the new regulations? ‘Compared to last year we have to take three parameters into account: the fact that the engine has to last for two Grand Prixs, that there is to be only one set of tyres for qualifying and the race and the overall package of the car as the new aerodynamic guidelines generate less grip’. Related to the regulations changes, next season the second qualifying session will be held on the Sunday morning. Do you consider this a disadvantage or not for the watching public? ‘I don’t think it is a disadvantage. Many complained that the weekend’s programme was not gripping enough, that the Sunday morning did not see any cars on the track. This is the main reason for the changes. However, as ever, it is difficult to satisfy everybody. Now we will have a starting grid decided on the sum of the times but I personally believe that the best method is to have the qualifying session on the Saturday afternoon with a cap of twelve laps per car. The change was brought in to try to penalise Ferrari but, in the end, this solution was found. I repeat: I prefer the old system’.

Doesn’t it seem that Ferrari is ever more isolated from the other teams? ‘From one point of view Ferrari always has been but this is not a problem. Over the past few years we have probably made life a little more difficult for our adversaries and so it is more evident. When Ferrari was not as competitive as it is now, the sense of isolation was not as strong’. What did it mean meeting the Pope? ‘I think that it is an extremely gratifying event; for believers or considering that the Pope is a unique institution on the planet. He is a man of the highest morals with a unique courage and the fact that we were received by him is considered by us all to have been a truly exceptional experience’.

In the ‘post-Michael’ era, which driver would you like to see in the team: Kimi Raikkonen or Fernando Alonso? ‘At the moment the two drivers are under contract and working for other teams. We at Ferrari always try to track down the best and, when the time is right, we will bring in best drivers’.