Ferrari team boss Domenicali wants titles in his first year

"We always want to win and are very ambitious," the Italian said at the annual media meeting in the Italian wintersport resort of Madonna di Campiglio on Wednesday.

 Domenicali will be measured by such statements and even more the success of the 2007 season where Kimi Raikkonen claimed the drivers title and Ferrari won the constructors crown as well.

 Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo wants a title repeat in both divisions in the 2008 season starting March 16 in Australia.

 "The president has set big goals," said Domenicali, well aware  that Ferrari's constructors title came by walkover after the disqualification of McLaren-Mercedes over a spying affair.

 The Anglo-German outfit with world championship runner-up Lewis Hamilton is tipped to do well again and to make life difficult for Raikkonen and his Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa - even though Fernando Alonso's return to Renault from McLaren could help Ferrari.

 "McLaren are definitely our biggest rival," said Domenicali.

 Domenicali took the job from Frenchman Jean Todt, who would have allegedly preferred record world champion Michael Schumacher on the job.

 But the German declined and Domenicali said he was not unhappy that the Italian influence in the team management is growing again since the departure of Todt and Ross Brawn.

 "We have Italian values, Ferrari is Italian," he said.

 But Domenicali expressed his gratitude that Schumacher is available as an advisor and can for instance help Raikkonen and massa on certain aspects of driving - such as without the outlawed traction control.

 "He is part of us and we are delighted that we can make use of his capacities," said Domenicali.

 As much as Italians are welcome in the team, the right passport itself does not gain direct access into the Ferrari camp, be it official or driver.

 Raikkonen, who took Schumacher's place in 2007, and Massa are each under contract until 2009 and there is no official number one status for Raikkonen even though he is the world champion.

 "Right now no Italian driver is better than our drivers," said Domenicali. "We are happy with the way Kimi drives and how he has himself into the team."