Although next Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix could decide the Formula 1 championship, Ferrari is convinced that the season will remain open until the last race in Brazil .
"From a theoretical, mathematical point of view both the constructors' and drivers' titles could be clinched this Sunday in Japan, but I don't think this is going to happen," observed Ferrari team principal Jean Todt .
Speaking the day after Ferrari's Michael Schumacher won the Chinese Grand Prix, allowing him to join Renault's Fernando Alonso at the top of the driver's standings, Todt added that "regardless of the mathematical possibilities, I'm sure both titles will be decided in the last race in Brazil" .
The closing race in the F1 season will be staged in Sao Paolo on October 22 .
Looking ahead to the last two races, Todt warned against any premature celebrations because "our rivals are very determined" .
Although Ferrari traditionally does well at the Suzuka track in Japan, Todt stressed that "there are a lot of elements we can control, and there are others which we cannot. What's important is that we try our best, as always". Renault currently holds a one-point lead in the constructors' championship over Ferrari, which was penalised Sunday when Felipe Massa dropped out six laps to the finish .
The Brazilian, who had started last and reached the point zone, retired after a collision with David Coulthard's Red Bull .
Sunday's victory was Schumacher's 91st career win and seventh this season. This means that were the championship to end today, the Ferrari driver would clinch his eighth tile because he has won one more race than Alonso .
After a disappointing start to this year's season, Ferrari and Schumacher have made an incredible comeback with the German eliminating a 25-point gap between him and Alonso in the last eight races .
Sunday's victory was particularly important for Schumacher who had never won in China, withdrawing with a blown tire in the debut year of the Chinese Grand Prix and coming in only 14th last year, again because of tire trouble .
Todt had nothing but words of praise for Schumacher, who will retire from active racing at the end of the season .
"He is the driver with the most titles not only in Formula 1 but in the whole history of auto racing," Todt said, adding that the way he is closing the season and his career "has just been fantastic" .
Schumacher won five straight titles with Ferrari, from 2000 to 2004. His other two titles were with Benetton-Renault .
