BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula One | Ferrari fear backlash in 2003

McLaren and Williams will challenge Ferrari harder next year than they have this season, according to Ross Brawn, technical director of the world champion team.

Ferrari have destroyed the opposition in Formula One in 2002, winning the constructors' title in Hungary last weekend with four races still to go.

That has been added to the drivers' title, won by Michael Schumacher in record time.

Dominant Ferrari wrap up title

Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt has described the team's one-two in Budapest as one of the easiest races in his 10 years with the team.

They'll come back and kick our backsides again, I'm sure

Ross Brawn
Ferrari technical director

But Brawn believes that Ferrari's rivals could bounce back in 2003.

"We know that can be done because we did it ourselves in '98," he said.

"We went to Melbourne (for the first race) and it was embarrassing. I think by the end of the year we were making a championship out of it."

He added: "We're very conscious of it, we're anxious about it, concerned about it and everyone at Ferrari is doing is something to avoid it happening.

"You do respond to the situation and I'm proud of the fact that in '98 we were getting our backsides kicked by McLaren, and here we are doing a little bit of the other.

"They'll come back and kick our backsides again, I'm sure."

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn
Brawn believes Ferrari will inevitably be caught

McLaren produced in 1998 a car that was substantially ahead of its closest rivals, and they went on to win two consecutive drivers' titles with Mika Hakkinen that year and in 1999.

But Ferrari overturned McLaren's domination - and he believes McLaren and Williams are heading in the right direction.

"Perhaps we are benefiting from the stability we have, something we talk about quite often, and that enables us to keep building on what we have," he said.

"So we do the best we can and if the other teams don't match that in a particular year then that's down to them."

McLaren boss Ron Dennis also believes his team are heading in the right direction.

McLaren have signed up ex-Arrows technical director Mike Coughlan to strengthen their design team, although their biggest problem this year is a lack of power from their Mercedes engine.

Ferrari defend team tactics

But Dennis is certain it will not be long before McLaren, who now even trail behind Williams, are winning races and championships again.

"We've worked very hard to restructure and supplement the whole technical group of the company and we are, along with our colleagues at Mercedes-Benz, really trying to raise our game," said Dennis.

"If you look at the difference in performance, it's not about fine tuning and you are not going to fix it that way.

"That means a lot of hard work to get a performance step in each part of the package.

"I know we and Mercedes-Benz are working extremely hard.

"And there is no reason why - because what you put in you get out - our efforts and financial commitment for the future should not see us close the gap next season.

McLaren save face


	Links to more Formula One stories