Aug.19 (GMM) Ferrari insists it has the ability to maintain development of its 2008 car while also focusing on the significant rules changes for next year.

The Italian team's technical director Aldo Costa on Tuesday revealed that the production phase of the 2009 car - including the actual chassis and the gearbox - is now beginning.

Some of the other teams are grappling with the dilemma of continuing to bring speed to their current cars while devoting enough resources to preparing for 2009.

Ferrari is locked in a close battle for 2008 honours with McLaren, with the drivers' title separated by just five points.

"Ferrari has the ability and resources to work on next year's car without having to relax for one moment on continuing the development of the F2008," Costa said.

The Italian did concede, however, that the resources split between 2008 and 2009 is a "very demanding challenge", given the arrival next year of bodywork restrictions, KERS and the return of slick tyres.

He said: "This makes the puzzle more complicated than ever, which is why we have to operate as efficiently as possible in terms of time management, commitment and energy, as we are now in a delicate phase with no way to recover from any mistakes.

"One step in the wrong direction could prove very costly," he said.