22-12-2011, 16:48
Montezemolo, 20 years with Ferrari
"Vettel? Alonso is the strongest"
Milano, 22 December 2011
The president celebrated twenty years at the helm of Ferrari. "The German is intelligent, but I wouldn't trade him for Fernando. Massa? He could continue, but we're looking around"
"Going into politics? No I'm with Ferrari." It was a mistake to read into the Christmas message sent to members of Italia Futura – the one stating that Luca di Montezemolo will run for election in 2013 – and it was the president of Ferrari himself who stressed this last night in the traditional meeting with the sports press inside the track in Fiorano, where vice president Piero Ferrari and team principal Stefano Domenicali were also present. The occasion also served to celebrate Montezemolo's 20 years at the helm of team of the prancing horse. "When I arrived here I didn't think I would stay for so long," admitted the president, who showed a bit of emotion when viewing the video that was made showing the drivers that have raced during his reign, sending their best wishes: from Schumacher to Barrichello, Irvine, Capelli, Salo, Alesi, Berger, Larini, Fisichella, Massa and Alonso (strange that Badoer was missing, as he was the driver who was there the longest...).
budget — Montezemolo stated, reminiscing: "In these 20 years we went through tough times like the temporary lay-offs in 1993, but we also registered great results both in terms of sporting performances and management. Suffice it to say that then we were making 2,300 cars, and today we are at 7,300. We were present in 20 countries and today that figure is up to 57. The turnover has become ten times what it was." In 2012 there are other challenges awaiting Ferrari; the heir to the 599 will be presented, which is a new 12-cylinder two-seater, as well as the heir to the Enzo. "To that, I only have the embarrassment associated with the name, since after naming a car Enzo the only choice left is... God," Montezemolo admitted.
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, 64 years old. LaPresse
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, 64 years old. LaPresse
new f1 — Obviously in 2012 Ferrari also expect redemption from a sporting standpoint after a season that was "not positive for many reasons." And of course there is great anticipation for the new car that will be presented "on 3 February" and for which Montezemolo said he feels much confidence: "Because it's an innovative project and you notice the attention to detail."
massa & the future — But 2012 will also be a decisive year for Massa's future in red: "We weren't happy with him and he wasn't happy with himself, but I'm confident that with a car that is able to heat up the tyres faster he'll be able to become more competitive again." Massa's adventure in Maranello "could also continue" but obviously Ferrari "are always looking around." And if Montezemolo rejected a Hamilton and Alonso pair ("to err is human, to persevere would be diabolical," referring to the complicated coexistence of the two with McLaren in 2007) he has not closed the door on Vettel. "He's a smart lad. I like how he behaves, and if I have to chose between drivers with equal skill I'll always take the one with the better head. However, today I wouldn't trade Alonso for anyone, because in a race he's the strongest driver around."
judgments — Continuing on the subject of drivers, Montezemolo then praised Button "who had an exceptional season and with Hamilton was part of the strongest partnership of the season," Rosberg "who had two good seasons despite having a car that wasn't very competitive," and Webber "who has always done his job". These are three names that the prancing horse has approached in recent months.
Concorde — Ferrari pulled out of FOTA "because we were tired of making compromises" and a little "because in a club everyone must abide by the rules, otherwise nothing gets done..." Ferrari in 2012 will work for the renewal of the Concorde Agreement with Ecclestone "who has always shown great respect for Ferrari's role of in F1" and the president hopes for a F1 in which aerodynamics count a bit less. "Because we're tired of a competition that you win based on the hours that you spend in the wind tunnel."
Newey? In '97 his wife considered Italy the third world. But if he's changed his mind and were available...
tests — The president has also revived two of their points of strength: first of all a return of the tests ("to have them in May in Mugello we threatened to leave FOTA"), because otherwise it is not possible to help young drivers grow and train there. "It would be like forcing Real Madrid and Barcelona to give up training on a daily basis, so why should Ferrari give up Fiorano and Mugello?"
third car — The other big question is the third car. Montezemolo pointed out: "I never said that Ferrari or Mercedes had to draw one up. That should be entrusted to the small teams." After a so-so year it was inevitable that the discussion would turn to Adrian Newey, the designer of the Red Bull team that has won the last two world championships. Montezemolo stressed: "I have confidence in our technical staff, and furthermore the meeting I had with him in 1997 was not exactly positive; the idea that his wife had of Italy was that of some kind of a third world country. But if he were available again and changed his ideas about our country then why not?"
announcement — Finally Montezemolo announced that yesterday there was the "fusion of the first 6-cylinder engine," the one that will be racing in F1 starting in 2014.
"Vettel? Alonso is the strongest"
Milano, 22 December 2011
The president celebrated twenty years at the helm of Ferrari. "The German is intelligent, but I wouldn't trade him for Fernando. Massa? He could continue, but we're looking around"
"Going into politics? No I'm with Ferrari." It was a mistake to read into the Christmas message sent to members of Italia Futura – the one stating that Luca di Montezemolo will run for election in 2013 – and it was the president of Ferrari himself who stressed this last night in the traditional meeting with the sports press inside the track in Fiorano, where vice president Piero Ferrari and team principal Stefano Domenicali were also present. The occasion also served to celebrate Montezemolo's 20 years at the helm of team of the prancing horse. "When I arrived here I didn't think I would stay for so long," admitted the president, who showed a bit of emotion when viewing the video that was made showing the drivers that have raced during his reign, sending their best wishes: from Schumacher to Barrichello, Irvine, Capelli, Salo, Alesi, Berger, Larini, Fisichella, Massa and Alonso (strange that Badoer was missing, as he was the driver who was there the longest...).
budget — Montezemolo stated, reminiscing: "In these 20 years we went through tough times like the temporary lay-offs in 1993, but we also registered great results both in terms of sporting performances and management. Suffice it to say that then we were making 2,300 cars, and today we are at 7,300. We were present in 20 countries and today that figure is up to 57. The turnover has become ten times what it was." In 2012 there are other challenges awaiting Ferrari; the heir to the 599 will be presented, which is a new 12-cylinder two-seater, as well as the heir to the Enzo. "To that, I only have the embarrassment associated with the name, since after naming a car Enzo the only choice left is... God," Montezemolo admitted.
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, 64 years old. LaPresse
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, 64 years old. LaPresse
new f1 — Obviously in 2012 Ferrari also expect redemption from a sporting standpoint after a season that was "not positive for many reasons." And of course there is great anticipation for the new car that will be presented "on 3 February" and for which Montezemolo said he feels much confidence: "Because it's an innovative project and you notice the attention to detail."
massa & the future — But 2012 will also be a decisive year for Massa's future in red: "We weren't happy with him and he wasn't happy with himself, but I'm confident that with a car that is able to heat up the tyres faster he'll be able to become more competitive again." Massa's adventure in Maranello "could also continue" but obviously Ferrari "are always looking around." And if Montezemolo rejected a Hamilton and Alonso pair ("to err is human, to persevere would be diabolical," referring to the complicated coexistence of the two with McLaren in 2007) he has not closed the door on Vettel. "He's a smart lad. I like how he behaves, and if I have to chose between drivers with equal skill I'll always take the one with the better head. However, today I wouldn't trade Alonso for anyone, because in a race he's the strongest driver around."
judgments — Continuing on the subject of drivers, Montezemolo then praised Button "who had an exceptional season and with Hamilton was part of the strongest partnership of the season," Rosberg "who had two good seasons despite having a car that wasn't very competitive," and Webber "who has always done his job". These are three names that the prancing horse has approached in recent months.
Concorde — Ferrari pulled out of FOTA "because we were tired of making compromises" and a little "because in a club everyone must abide by the rules, otherwise nothing gets done..." Ferrari in 2012 will work for the renewal of the Concorde Agreement with Ecclestone "who has always shown great respect for Ferrari's role of in F1" and the president hopes for a F1 in which aerodynamics count a bit less. "Because we're tired of a competition that you win based on the hours that you spend in the wind tunnel."
Newey? In '97 his wife considered Italy the third world. But if he's changed his mind and were available...
tests — The president has also revived two of their points of strength: first of all a return of the tests ("to have them in May in Mugello we threatened to leave FOTA"), because otherwise it is not possible to help young drivers grow and train there. "It would be like forcing Real Madrid and Barcelona to give up training on a daily basis, so why should Ferrari give up Fiorano and Mugello?"
third car — The other big question is the third car. Montezemolo pointed out: "I never said that Ferrari or Mercedes had to draw one up. That should be entrusted to the small teams." After a so-so year it was inevitable that the discussion would turn to Adrian Newey, the designer of the Red Bull team that has won the last two world championships. Montezemolo stressed: "I have confidence in our technical staff, and furthermore the meeting I had with him in 1997 was not exactly positive; the idea that his wife had of Italy was that of some kind of a third world country. But if he were available again and changed his ideas about our country then why not?"
announcement — Finally Montezemolo announced that yesterday there was the "fusion of the first 6-cylinder engine," the one that will be racing in F1 starting in 2014.
Fernando es de otro planeta