Monthly Archives: August 2013

Luca di Montezemolo has made it clear that he’s still unhappy with the outcome of the Mercedes ‘tyregate’ saga – and has taken digs at both the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone.

Montezemolo was speaking in an interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera, later republished on Ferrari’s own website. While enthusing about the change in the balance between aero and powertrains in 2014 he also welcomed the return of testing.

“We will finally have testing again and not a farce like what we saw this year with one team doing illegal testing, without even paying the right penalty for it,” he said. “In this case, I would have expected more clarity and courage from the FIA.

“On the other hand, the benefits gained by the team that carried out the secret banned testing are watched by everyone. Before then, it had not won a single Grand Prix, then after the test it won three out of five races. These are the sort of serious incidents that affect F1’s credibility and alter the championship.”

Montezemolo made further reference to the Mercedes affair when asked about the future of Bernie Ecclestone.

“Sooner or later a generational change always occurs. It’s not too long until we reach the post-Ecclestone era for reasons of statistics. As for the rest, I don’t want to talk about it. We will have to prepare for a new cycle, capable of tackling the urgent matters and the need for a new F1.

“I believe the management of this sport, which let’s not forget is not just a show, should be entrusted to a group of men open to new ideas, who know about racing but also about marketing and communications and are sensitive to the demands of the fans, those who come to the circuits and therefore pay for the tickets and those who watch on TV, while being able to involve the sponsors and not alienate them.

“But be careful, I don’t want to have discussions with Ecclestone, I have had some in the recent past, because he was too talkative on the subject of Ferrari, but surprisingly silent on the subject of the illegal tests carried out by Mercedes. I know Bernie’s strengths and weaknesses, but let’s be very clear on one point, no one else will ever do for Formula 1 what Ecclestone has done.”

As for the recent changes by Pirelli, he added: “No polemics, but I have only pointed out that I don’t feel it’s right to change the type of tyre at the midpoint of the season, for cars designed and developed with different tyres, which is another element that contributes to organising the hierarchy. And who knows if for next season, for which studies and preparation are already underway, there could not be further changes. We need clarity.”

Luca do Montezemolo says that Ferrari can still bounce back in 2013 – and has made it clear once again that Fernando Alonso has to remember that the team has priority.

Montezemolo was speaking in a lengthy interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera, which was republished on the Ferrari website.

“Fernando is a great driver and I understand him, he is a bit like me – he wants to win,” said Montezemolo. “He must just remember that one wins and loses together, and for its part, Ferrari must give him a car capable of starting from the front two rows.

“It doesn’t sit well with me seeing our car is not competitive. That’s why I intervened, even if I didn’t want to abuse my authority over my men. However, it had to be done. But how? We started so well, we had begun the world championship with a very competitive car, maybe even considered the best. But something happened, and instead of moving forward we went backwards.

“Therefore the right attitude, the one I am taking from now on is as follows: understand the mistakes, fix them and after this careful analysis develop the car in the right direction. We must put our heads down in this return match, as I describe this second part of the season after the break, a break I don’t like, but we have to adhere to it.”

Asked how that would happen, he said: “Firstly, our DNA, Ferrari’s and mine, has a characteristic that we never give up. We must get back on the path we were on up until Barcelona. We can do it. Secondly, Spa and Monza are two circuits that could suit the characteristics of our car. Yes, the conditions are in place to give a strong signal of a recovery and, on top of that, I expect results from our engineers who must demonstrate their worth. Then, please, let’s not forget that last year, at the last race, for a few laps, Alonso was the virtual world champion, at the wheel of a Ferrari and definitely no other car, which confirms this team knows how to be competitive.”

Elaborating on the subject of Alonso, he said: “Fernando has given a lot in these last years and I repeat, his disappointment, which came about mainly after Silverstone, where all of us expected to be more competitive, is understandable. But I didn’t like some attitudes, a few words, some outbursts. And I said so… I reminded everyone, including the drivers, that Ferrari comes before everything, the priority is the team.  Rather like a family father pointing out the need to respect some family rules – I wish to underline the concept of family values.”

He also made it clear that the future of Felipe Massa is up in the air.

“Felipe is a quick driver and a great guy. But in the past days, we were very clear with him – both he and us need results and points. Then, at some point, we will look one another in the eye, and decide what to do.”