Ferrari fears Honda threat

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From Autosport.com:

Todt fears Honda threat

Ferrari chief admits concerns over BAR-Honda's increasing competitiveness

Todt is only surprised by the pace BAR and Honda have shown this year

Ferrari's sporting director Jean Todt has admitted that he is concerned over the growing threat to the Italian team's dominance from the Honda-powered BAR team. Todt is fully aware of the Japanese manufacturer's capabilities as well as its achievements in the past and fears that recent form could indicate the beginning of a return to prominence by Honda.

BAR and Honda outqualified Ferrari at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola last weekend as Jenson Button scored his first pole position. It was the first time this year that anybody other than Michael Schumacher had started from the front and in the last three races Button has finished closest to the red cars.

"I'm scared when I see who we are fighting against," said Todt. "BAR is the surprise of the season, even though I'm only half surprised, because if you have a company like Honda involved in this business, it's not just to be part of the race.

I'm scared when I see who we are fighting against

Jean Todt

"They want to be competitive and I'm sure that what they are getting at the moment is probably pleasing them, but it is not enough. If you take all the other manufacturers, it is a situation which cannot stay like that. That's why it's such big competition."

Todt went on to express his delight at the performance advantage Ferrari still holds over its competitors. "If I am surprised, honestly, it's more by Ferrari," said the Frenchman. "I keep saying this, but I live day by day in the Ferrari environment. We are a legendary company, but we are very small, lost in the middle of nowhere, a little province, and we have to face many more problems than all our other competitors.

"I really feel that it's outstanding to see what Ferrari is able to do since a few years now, and I simply hope that it can stay like that, but I'm scared when I see who we are fighting against."

[Taku 0]

so he should be. herewith the beginning of the honda resurgence!

[webber 0]

i think that im starting to like BAR now because thay are the only team taking it ot Ferrari

[nojvnof1 0]

Why now, WHYYYY????!!!!!!!!!

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Why now, WHYYYY????!!!!!!!!!  

Yep, I feel sorry for Villeneuve too. After all, he founded the team in 1999 and left a better, more immediate option at Williams to build a new team. He stayed with BAR while things weren’t going as well as he or anyone else wanted and refused offers to take him to Renault. Then in 2003, just when things are improving he is sacked and forced to sit out the 2004 season, which just happens to be the season were BAR do really well and had Jacques still been at BAR, they would be much better than they are today with Takuma Sato not doing a good enough job.

[AutoRacer5 0]

Ferrari should not fear BAR. Ferrari have won 3 of 4 poles, 2 front rows, and 4 races. They should only be afraid that Michael would retire anytime soon.

[nojvnof1 0]

Ah well, what can you do?! BAR are looking sooo good because McLaren and Williams are soo bad, but I still think BAR can mix it with them once they get upto speed, but not as consistantly as they currently are.

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I

[AutoRacer5 0]

The fact that Williams have had Engine failures is not that staggering, in 03 they had one or two, and in 02 I could expect one or two to be blown up almost every other week. BAR is looking great, but McLaren need to get their act together.