Improving on second place 'difficult' for Ferrari

Dec.17 (GMM) Overcoming Red Bull for title spoils next year will be "difficult" for Ferrari, FIA president Jean Todt has warned.

Before the Stefano Domenicali era, Frenchman Todt oversaw Ferrari's ultra-successful Michael Schumacher days, delivering a Red Bull-like period of domination with five consecutive championships until 2004.

Kimi Raikkonen won the title in 2007, and Ferrari has come close to winning in subsequent years, but president Luca di Montezemolo this week admitted he is "sick of coming second".

"I hope that Ferrari do a good job," Todt is quoted by Italy's La Repubblica, when asked about 2014. "They have already done this in the past few years.

"Obviously being second is not the same thing as being first, but it is also really difficult to be second," he added.

Todt was also asked about Bernie Ecclestone's troubles, and the prospect that Formula One could soon be needing a new 'supremo' at the helm.

The 67-year-old said he hopes Briton Ecclestone, 83, "stays in his place for many years".

"I saw him (last) Monday," Todt said. "He is in great shape, vibrant, motivated. Then we talk about what happens after Ecclestone?

"I'd rather focus on the present," he insisted.

Todt sidestepped any talk about the potential problems caused by the revolutionary new regulations, or the obviously urgent need to cut costs, answering: "I do not have a crystal ball".

He also didn't want to talk about measures that were considered for 2014 but not adopted, such as mandatory two-pitstop Grands Prix.

"I read a lot of proposals," said Todt. "If I was to comment on everything that we read, we'd be here until tomorrow.

"The reality is that we have spoken about the tyres, but the regulations will not change next year.

"There will be tests next week in Bahrain, where I hope the right solutions will be developed. I am convinced that Pirelli has all the ability and the professionalism to do it," he concluded.