No favourites at Ferrari, says team boss

Ferrari boss Jean Todt is adamant there will be no favouritism as Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa hunt down McLaren in the race for the Formula One world titles.

Massa spearheaded a Ferrari one-two in Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix to close the gap on championship leader Lewis Hamilton to 15 points, with Raikkonen a further point down.

In the constructors’ championship, Ferrari are now just 11 points adrift of their bitter rivals as Fernando Alonso finished third, while Hamilton was fifth after a blown tyre wrecked his chances.

In previous years at Ferrari, when Michael Schumacher ruled the roost, the Maranello marque consistently threw their weight behind a man who ended his career last year a seven-time world champion.

However, with Massa and Raikkonen both in the hunt for the crown, the two men will continue to share equal billing rights.

“There is no plan or strategy to safeguard the championship,” said Todt.

“It is something that would be completely inappropriate when you have two fine drivers like Kimi and Felipe doing such a good job,” said Todt.

“After 12 grands prix there is one point the difference between them.

“They’ve both had problems because of some mistakes we have made, and they have made some mistakes as well. But that is normal, we are all human beings.

“So at the moment there is absolutely no plan for a strategy for one or the other.

“Both are doing a very good job, and there is very good harmony in the team.

“Although of course they both want to win, they will get the same chance and the same support.

“Right now the championship is still open. It will be tough, but we will try our best until the end, and I still feel believe we will carry this on.”

Todt described yesterday’s Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park as “a dream race and a dream result”.

He added: “It was very pleasing, very rewarding. The race went perfectly well. When you’re first and second, you are very happy.”

Yet he could not hide his respect for Hamilton, who just managed to regain control of his McLaren after the right front tyre blew.

The 22-year-old displayed superb instincts, eventually nursing the car into the pits for a fresh set of rubber and his eventual fifth place.

“Hamilton did a fantastic race,” remarked Todt. “In a way, after what happened to him he was quite lucky to bring four points home.

“But when you see what he has been doing all season, it is a great job. He has been quite successful when he has had problems like in this race.”

The 61-year-old Frenchman, meanwhile, has quashed speculation he may quit at the end of this year, feeling he can carry on working for another decade at least.

“I am not at all prepared to retire,” insisted Todt.

“I am still very motivated, I have the same anxiety before every race, some happiness when we are successful, and some unhappiness when we are not successful.

“I hope I can still do 10 more years. Look at Bernie (Ecclestone, who is 76). There are 15 years between us, but he is still very motivated.

“So for me, I am not thinking about stopping working. I’ve no worries.”