Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has reminded his team not to get too excited after Fernando Alonso’s Valencia win, pointing out that Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull had a clear advantage.
Montezemolo, who was in Valencia for Ferrari’s disappointing qualifying session but went home for the race, was addressing the team at the regular post-race Maranello debrief. He urged everyone in the camp to work even harder.
“I am worried and all of us should be,” he said. “Yes, I am worried, because I expect three very tough races at Silverstone, Hockenheim and Budapest, and because we have seen that Red Bull is very strong, having had four tenths in hand over everyone in qualifying and in the race it was flying away, at least until the Safety Car. If we want to achieve our goals then we must make a step forward.
“It’s thanks to your work, to an extraordinary driver who, not by chance, drives for Ferrari, to the strategy, the pit stops and the efforts of everyone at the track and back home, that we find ourselves leading the championship, even if we don’t have the best car.
“Now we must ensure we do everything as well as possible because winning depends solely and exclusively on us. It would be a big mistake to think the win in Valencia means we have done enough. Today we have a competitive car, but to win, we must do even more.
“I don’t want outsiders to think that one win is enough for us to put on a fireworks display. I know how much you are working, how many sacrifices have been made, but I am the first to know that that all of us, without exception, must still give something more.
“Let’s remember for a few more minutes that we are leading the world championship, then let’s get back to work.”
Montezemolo went on to praise Alonso, Felipe Massa, the pit stop crew and the Ferrari team principal.
“Stefano Domenicali has never shirked his responsibilities, even acting as a lightning conductor for all the criticism, protecting his people, while at the same time knowing how to demand the maximum effort, how to build a team and look to the future in a positive way and with the right sense of realism. He deserves it.”
Adam Cooper F1 