Q: How do you live this 72 lap race of suspense?

Jean Todt: At the start of the year we never thought we would be World Champions with Michael at the French Grand Prix. So what was important, when Rubens Barrichello couldn't get going, was to score enough points to keep up our score in the World Championship, because we knew well before the start of this race, that if one of the drivers in second, third or fourth places in the championship won all the rest of the Grands Prix then Michael would have to score 15 points which seemed for us to be quite realistic, given the start of the season, in a certain way, the front runners in the race apart from Ferrari weren't the same as usual, this meant that the championship was looking good for us. So what was very exciting was the race itself and the possibility of achieving our goal earlier than expected. But in fact, today was a bonus given our expectations.

Q: But this win was very emotional.

JT: It was emotional because at a certain moment we devoted ourselves to achieve a particular goal which is characteristic of Ferrari today, and at moment the goal is achieved, it's as though a weight has been taken from our shoulders. So it was a great relief that it has been achieved, even if it had been achieved earlier than ever.

Q: Michael paid tribute to whole team, is it a big family?

JT: Yes but I think it's great asset for us. It's one of our strengths, and the fact that each has an important role, one that is respected, is a great motivation, I think it's something today that is one of our assets.

Q: He also spoke of the relationship that the two of you have.

JT: I think we've often spoken of this and it is perhaps because we get on so well because we have both had difficult times together, and difficulties create stronger relationships than when things go well. I still think we have great things ahead of us.

Q: Fangio awakened your passion, does Schumacher do the same?

JT: In fact Fangio for me was a legend. I had the privilege of knowing him, to see him several times and meet him in Argentina, in Europe and at his home but for me his was an era in which I didn't live but he was a driver of my generation. I wasn't doing the things that I'm doing now. Michael is someone else. Michael is a part of my professional life, my private life so it's something different. We are together in something that is very difficult, which has been transformed into a success.

Q: Is Ferrari the link between Michael and Fangio?

JT: I don't think you can compare Fangio, however good he might have been, and Michael, they are from different eras.

Q: On the rostrum, Michael told them I love you, what is this love? How can you see it?

JT: I think Michael said something that everybody knows, and if somebody has not understood that yet, it is because they want to ignore it. It's clear. I was saying to your Italian colleagues, after six months when Michael joined Ferrari in 96, everybody was saying that he had already been contacted by other companies to drive for them. I think nobody would allow themselves to think that Michael would drive another car than a Ferrari at the moment. I think that's the best result for me. It's the best success, to have consolidated very good people together at Ferrari where everybody has a clear responsibility, every is going in the same direction, and that is our strength.

Q: Fastest ever championship victory, Michael's fifth, does this feel any different to any of the other titles?

JT: You know not really because in a way it's better because I should say we feel more comfortable now, but I'm sure that we will be very anxious at the next race, to do well, and I think that's one of our strengths. Just to have our feet on the ground, to be humble and to respect the others. Just to be motivated to move forwards and to move successfully forwards. You can see how Michael had a big advantage, he was testing, we were developing for him and so the result is the fruit of lots of hard work, big motivation and big passion. Because we never want to leave anything uncovered.

Q: Did you ever think somebody not from your own family could bring you so much joy and happiness?

JT: I am fortunate that I have a son, of course I love him, but our way of living makes it double. I think it's easier to have a very close relationship with people because you decide so and it's not the blood that has decided for you. Saying that, when both are complimentary, that's good but in Michael's situation, when we are pulling his leg, he says his half brother or something like that. We are part of the family.

Q: Can he be hailed as the greatest driver in history?

JT: That's your job. You have to build and to destroy people. Don't forget two months he was the worst thing ever, today he's the new king, and in one month it will be another thing. He's just a great driver, he's driving a fantastic car, he has a fantastic team behind him, he has very good tyres, so all the combination is working together, and all together makes something outstanding. I think it's very presumptuous to say he is the best; how can we know?

Q: Does he still surprise you in any way, even though you know him so well?

JT: His approach. He never wants to leave something uncovered you know, his dedication, he is dedicated, whatever happens, he will do it, he's very realistic, he has a sense of the values of these things, he respects people, he likes to be respected. I think if you want something for you, you must give it to others and that's what is happening.

Q: What targets do you set yourself for next season and beyond?

JT: Each step we do on the 2002 car will help us for 2003, so I think it would be the worst mistake to say 'let's stop developing this car.' We have to develop this car, the engine, the tyres and the advantage we will get from now until the end of the season. We will be able to carry that to next year's car and next year's engine and next year's tyres. It's an on-going process.

Q: Is your approach going to change for the rest of the season; what's going to be the target?

JT: Definitely the manufacturers' championship. You know with 62 points in hand it's a comfortable advantage, and really I want to see Rubens in a strong position. He has been doing a tremendous job this season. He's much more comfortable in the team than he was in the past. It's a fantastic relationship between him and Michael. He has a lot of admiration for Michael, and Michael respects him a lot. Probably he was a bit more isolated in the past compared to all the people who worked together for a longer time. Now he's really part of the whole structure?

Q: Will the team be more relaxed now that they've won the championship?

JT: No, it's not our approach. Maybe it would be better, sometimes I feel it would be nicer to be more smiling, more dedicated for social life but it's not our approach, we are not built for that. Sometimes I wish I could be but I'm not able to. Everybody has his own limits.

Q: Did Ron Dennis have grounds to be unhappy with the overtaking move on Kimi?

JT: He tried.