Q: Jean, why did you take this decision today?
Jean Todt: There was great domination by Ferrari today and the race was between our two drivers and clearly we knew that Michael had 44 points in the championship before this race in the World Drivers' championship and Rubens six points. Michael therefore had a greater chance of winning the Drivers' championship and therefore four points was important and that's why we asked Rubens to let Michael pass.

Q: Was it a difficult decision to take for you?
JT: It's always a difficult decision to take, to change the finishing order, it's not something you do all the time. Having said that, we've finished too many championships in the final race of the year to underestimate our competitors and to prevent taking the smallest (points). So, today, we are enjoying a favourable period. We have a car that is very competitive, a good engine, remarkable Bridgestone tyres. We cannot be certain, with 11 races to go to the end of the championship that the situation will remain like that, so we are trying to take the maximum advantage at this stage.

Q: We are only at six races, wasn't this decision a bit too prudent?
JT: It was a decision that was perhaps very prudent but history has taught us to be prudent and that things are never easy.

Q: What about the sport?
JT: The sport has seen Ferrari drive a very good race. We have seen clearly that the moral winner has been Rubens Barrichello, he was a very professional driver like the whole team and it's something that he understands.

Q: What would have happened if either of the drivers had broken the contract and not done what they were told?
JT: Michael is a very professional driver and Rubens is a very professional driver. We told them something on the radio, it's quick decisions, quick reaction and they both respected it, what they were told.

Q: So was it right you expected him to follow his decision anyway.
JT: They are professional, we are all professional, we try to be. Sometimes you take difficult decisions, but you feel you have to take them, and you accept the consequences.

Q: When exactly did you tell him?
JT: I think it was lap 63. Both of them. But he (Michael) did not say no because he passed him, didn't he?

Q: Has the reaction of the spectators and the reaction of the media surprised you?
JT: Not really. I honestly prefer this kind of reaction to being first and second. At least you have something to write, otherwise you would have said the race was very boring.We just feel... sometimes we have very difficult decisions to take. But we are fighting for a Championship. It is a difficult fight. We lost the championship at the last race in 1997, 98 and 99 so we just want to try to avoid that. Maybe if that had not happened, we would not have reacted like that. But it has happened, we have had some hard times and really I had even more people to face, and no result. At least. I know some people are not happy but we have the result and we feel it was the right thing for the team.

Q: Don't you feel the image of Ferrari has been damaged?
JT: Honestly, I think some people will be against it and I've heard different reactions. Some people feel that they are in favour but at the end of the day, it is more damaging if you lose the Championship rather than if you decide who is going to win a specific race after such domination by Ferrari. We did not allow our drivers to fight, you know, because I must say it is hard for me to say, but we were much quicker on the track today, so there was no point to allow our drivers to fight each other, because we would have given the game to the others.

Q: But Rubens had a big advantage?
JT: I mean because we asked them not to go over the limit . The car had a very good potential today.