Todt: Kimi an 'easy choice' for us.

Ferrari team boss Jean Todt has every confidence that Kimi Raikkonen will be able to deliver for the Scuderia in 2007, when the Finn joins the Marnanello-based squad from McLaren-Mercedes as the successor to Michael Schumacher.

Speaking following Schumacher's announcement on Sunday at the Italian Grand Prix that he will retire at the end of this year and confirmation that Raikkonen will link-up with Felipe Massa next season, Todt added that all the speculation in the media over the last 12 months or so that Kimi had signed an option with them so that they had first refusal on his services post-2006, made him smile.

"What is important is that we never had any kind of pre-contract [with Kimi], we had a signed contract, that's all, so sometimes I was smiling a bit when I saw those speculations or private meetings to try to get Kimi," he confirmed. "The important thing though is that we feel Kimi is a very strong driver - a very talented driver. I like him as a person and he's committed for the few next years to Ferrari."

Todt meanwhile noted, that realistically, there were only ever three contenders for the number one spot with Ferrari: "In terms of selecting a driver, first, you must look at the market to see who is available and who you would like among the available people. Maybe it's a bit unfair because we have new young drivers arriving who are doing very well: Felipe, [Robert] Kubica today did a very strong race. You have some drivers coming from GP2 who are maybe very talented but let's say when we were in a position to make a choice, we looked at the three quickest drivers available," he explained. "One was already driving for us, one was our favourite and we have him, so honestly, it was an easy choice, and fortunately it was an easy discussion because he wanted to join Ferrari and we wanted him to join Ferrari so it was easy."

As for if Raikkonen will be able to emulate the same level of success as Schumacher has achieved with the Scuderia, Todt is aware that it would be difficult for any driver to do that: "The same level would be difficult, I would say," he continued, "but Kimi has been very competitive and it's up to us to try to deliver him the best support, the best car. Michael last year accepted a race, a gift. He did not win one single race so we need to deliver a good car, reliable, and I'm sure that Kimi will be able to use it well."