Q: Luciano Burti was still testing the F2001 at the end of the season. What is the reason for this?
A: "Unlike 2001, in 2002 it was possible to test for three weeks before a new interruption around the Christmas holidays. Our programme concerned, above all, tyre and electronics tests ahead of the new season. It was a shame that the weather conditions didn't help us, but anyway, we were able obtain precious information to help us prepare better for the 2003 championship."

Q: McLaren said they will be revising there 2002 car for the 2003 car, Schumacher says the F2003 will be ready to race in Australia. Do you have an idea when the car will make its first race appearance?
A: "We will begin the season with the F2002 which is still competitive and, above all, reliable. When the F2003-GA is ready it will make its debut. As in 2002, the technical regulations allow the use of the previous season's car and I believe that we have made the right decision on this occasion."

What do you think about the new rules in F1 discussed today?
-How do you feel about the rule changes agreed to today, specifically the new qualifying system and the proposed ban on team orders?
-What are some of the changes Ferrari would like to see in 2003 to improve formula 1 for its audiences?
-Do you not think that as a consequence of the new rules which determine when a car should run the qualifying lap, that due to adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen events (you have only one attempt!), the starting grid on the Sunday could be false, and with it being practically impossible to overtake, that the finishing positions too could be false?
A: "I think that the recently introduced technical rule changes will contribute to enhancing the spectacle. In particular, I believe that the new qualifying formula will be very exciting. As to how much different weather conditions could influence events, the only thing I can say is that we are all in the same boat."

What were your feelings when an honour such as the one you recently received is given to you... the title normally reserved for Mr. Ferrari?
A: "It was a great honour for me to receive the title of 'Commendatore' from the President of the Italian Republic Ciampi. It is an extremely important award, bestowed by what has become my adoptive country, seeing as I spend most of my time here. In the same way it was an honour for me to be given the title of 'Commandeur de la Legion d'Honneur' by the President of the French Republic."

Which is the most challenging aspect of your job?
A: "The fact of having to battle every day to reach our objectives is a constant in my work. Then there is the overseeing over a group of eight hundred people who have to work and push in the same direction."

How do you cope with work pressure and missing your family?
A:"Pressure has always been a part of my work, both in my race career and that as a manager, and I am used to it, you could say. As to the distance from my family, in particular from my son Nicholas, I can say that modern technology really helps me out: mobile phones and the Internet allow us to always be in contact with each other. Obviously, the little free time that I have I try to spend with the people I care most about."

I read on Michael's official site, that you were also been driven by him in the 2-seater-Minardi. How was your impression and feeling afterwards? What is the difference (beyond speed) to driving a Rallye-car?
A: "It was an interesting experience. I am used to speed, even if rally cars and F1 single-seaters are very different. Above all it was a really pleasant time spent with Michael, with his family and friends."

Will Ferrari next year officially take part at the LeMans-24 hours and what will they do for the reliability?
A: "No, our work in Formula 1 takes up all our energy. From 2003, the Maserati's sport project will take off, which includes the construction of a GT car to compete in GT races from 2004, but it is still early to think about participating in Le Mans."

Please would you tell me who, of all past drivers [present would be a little obvious ;-)] do you consider the best & why?
A: "It is always difficult, if not impossible, to make comparisons between drivers - and, more generally, between sportspeople - of different eras. There were great drivers in the fifties like Fangio and Ascari, in the sixties like Clark and Graham Hill, in the seventies there were Lauda and Stewart, in the eighties Senna and Prost and in the nineties, Michael Schumacher, who is, without any doubt, the best driver around today."

How important is the feedback of the fans for you?
A: "Fans are very important for us and we have enormous respect for them. They always supported us during hard times and we are content at the satisfaction we have been able to give them in recent years. It is always a pleasure to see the Ferrari flag flying in the stands at every circuit; it is another reason to be proud to be the head of the Scuderia."

What was the most difficult time in your Ferrari-years?
A: "There have been some very trying times. I remember the summer of 1996 when, for three consecutive races both our cars were forced to retire due to reliability problems. And how can I not think about the championships that escaped us at the last Grand Prix, from Jerez in '97 to Suzuka, in the two years that followed. And Silverstone '99, which deprived us of the contribution of Michael Schumacher for almost half the season. These times made us even stronger as a group and provided further - as if it were ever necessary - motivation for our work. Now that things are very different these are memories that help us keep our feet on the ground."

Will Ferrari test on the fridays with an extra car and driver or will you continue to test in private throughout the season?
A: "No, we will continue to test as we did last year."

What you felt when you see all successes of F2002 during all this year?
A: "Great satisfaction. Victories are the compensation for the hard work of the race and test teams, all the people that work at Maranello and our technical partners. It is thanks to them that we had an extraordinary season, the best in Ferrari's history."

How did you feel when you saw Michael passing first the finishing line in Magny Cours?
A: "It was a magical moment, a fantastic feeling. They are memories that will remain with me forever."

Do you think that Ferrari in 2002 just defined what perfection and total domination mean, setting such extraordinary records?
A: "I don't think that it was a perfect season. I don't want to seem arrogant, but perfection in Formula 1 means seventeen one-twos and as many pole positions. We had an exceptional championship but there are areas in which we can - and must - improve. For example, Michael has never had any reliability problems while Rubens has suffered a series of complications, in particular during the early part of the season. This demonstrates that we are still far from perfection, and that there is still a lot of scope for improvement."

Do you think that the "Enzo Ferrari" is the greatest supercar ever built, and it can only be beaten by its replacement?
A: "The last car is always the most beautiful. The one which follows will be even better. Or better, as Enzo Ferrari himself said: The most beautiful car is that which we have still to build."

What do you think of the new proposed GP venues? How difficult will it be to race in Bahrain, in the very hot climate? Have you seen the plan for the track in Bahrain?
A: "It will be interesting to experience a Grand Prix in a new country. Formula 1 really is a global sport that attracts interest everywhere."

It is recognised that, in Michael, you have the best formula one driver and Rubens is very talented too. If they were both to retire now, which two current formula one drivers would you like to bring to Ferrari?
A: "I wouldn't like to comment on that; I prefer to consider things as they are. The fact is that we have probably the best pair of drivers possible, in terms of talent and the spirit between them and the team. We will think about the future when the time is right; now it is still early."

As an Italian that lives in a foreign country (Spain), and as a Ferrari supporter, I have noticed that here there are many people who don't like the current situation with Ferrari clearly at the top. They would like to see again a closer competition, and more exciting races as well. But this fact was not claimed in the past, when teams like McLaren or Williams were at the same dominant situations. Therefore I guess that here in Spain there is a kind of envy against the Italian team. So here it is my question: did you feel the same in other countries? Do you think that now people are much more sensitive to find the way to make the championship more competitive? And finally, do you think that they are worried with the possibility to see Ferrari at the top one more season?
A: "I don't think that there is envy towards Ferrari for what we were able to do in 2002; far from it. At every circuit there was always a lot of enthusiasm, even when both championships had already been decided. It was like this at Monza, for example, with that rowdy celebration below the podium that brought out goosebumps, at Indianapolis and at Suzuka. I don't believe that people would describe themselves as being worried about the possibility of Ferrari dominating as last year."

Before entering the world of Formula 1 you were involved in rallying. Would you do it all again?
A: "I am not somebody who likes looking backwards mainly because until now, I haven't had the time to. One makes errors - perfection is very difficult to attain - but it is not yet the time to go over my life thinking of what could have happened if I made a given decision on a given day. As far as I can, I prefer to look ahead."

Michael Schumacher mentioned in the British magazine, "Autosport" issued on 12 Sep, 02: "My philosophy is never to think you have achieved your goal. You always have to look at what you can do different and what you can do better with the car and with yourself. And you will always find little things."
Also, Mr. Todt, you said in the same magazine issued on 31 Oct, 02: "Our aim is always to see where there is space for improvement, but not to consider that it has already been improved."
Both you and Michael seem to show the same thought.
So, have you ever discussed with Michael regarding your philosophy? Given that, to some extent do you think that both of your philosophies have influenced the team as a whole?
A: "Michael and I have a great relationship and we agree on many things. It's normal that we share the same philosophy to our work - him at the wheel a single-seater, me behind the desk running the team. Our squad has now been together for many years and we couldn't be any different: sharing the same philosophy while respecting the views of each individual."

In a magazine, I saw you wearing a very chic scarf on the Ferrari's teamwear. Also, I found in a different magazine that you were using Hermes's cup and saucer at your house in Italy. So, do you choose your clothes or your personal belongings by yourself or leave them to your wife?
I decided to ask this question because you looked very elegant.
A: "Firstly, thank you for the compliment. Turning to the question, my reply is that I, personally, choose my clothes and accessories."

If you were getting a new Ferrari in the morning... What colour would you chose?
A: "Black."