Todt claims that McLaren will have a serious advantage
McLaren has a clear advantage because this year, the team has manufactured the electronic system that all F1 teams must now use, said Ferrari’s CEO Jean Todt on Monday. The SECU (Standard Electronic Control Unit), produced by McLaren Electronic Systems, is a major development for the new season, which will begin on March 16 in […]

McLaren has a clear advantage because this year, the team has manufactured the electronic system that all F1 teams must now use, said Ferrari’s CEO Jean Todt on Monday.
The SECU (Standard Electronic Control Unit), produced by McLaren Electronic Systems, is a major development for the new season, which will begin on March 16 in Melbourne.
« We would have preferred that the control unit, unique for all F1 teams, be manufactured by another company. We have to accept the fact that McLaren with Microsoft presented the most economical proposal, » said Todt.
« It is clear that this is a situation to monitor. But it is evident that, at least in the beginning, McLaren will have an advantage in the championship, » added the Frenchman, who handed over his position as sporting director to Stefano Domenicali.
The rivalry between the two teams had never been greater than in 2007. And for good reason, the Scuderia became the world constructors’ champion after McLaren had all its points earned during that year removed. The espionage affair involving confidential Ferrari information was, of course, the cause.
The rivalry reached its peak in the drivers’ championship where it was Kimi Räikkönen in a Ferrari who won the title by one point ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, both McLaren drivers at the time. Alonso has since rejoined Renault for a second time.
The new Ferrari F2008 was unveiled yesterday from the Maranello base in the presence of, among others, the reigning world champion. The latter has since completed 20 laps on the Fiorano circuit without any issues.