Montezemolo threatens again

After seriously considering leaving F1 during the standoff between the FIA and FOTA during the first half of 2009, Ferrari reiterates its threats. Luca di Montezemolo wants more glamor and technology, but also cheaper seats for spectators.

Published on 31/12/2009 à 10:07

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Luca di Montezemolo doesn't beat around the bush: for the President of Ferrari, the F1 must resolve its problems as quickly as possible so that the Team commits beyond 2012, the end of the current Concorde Agreements.

“If F1 doesn't improve quickly, we will find motivation elsewhere,” says Montezemolo. “I went to Le Mans this year and I was impressed. We can no longer accept the growing gap between drivers and the public. The stands look like concentration camps even though they were full of pretty girls a few years ago! »

Even if Jean Todt and Ferrari did not part on the best terms, the boss of the Scuderia intends to lay the new foundations of a constructive relationship: “Jean is a good person, who knows F1 well and I am sure that he wants to recreate a new form of dialogue. Bernie is reaching the end of his career, but he is still looking forward. And FOTA is the third component of a strong triangular. »

For Montezemolo, we must first rethink the positioning of the premier discipline of motorsport: “We must have high technology, performance and technological advances. We must also preserve costs without losing the fundamentals. Not being able to entrust a test car to Felipe Massa is, in my opinion, against the nature of our sport. Replacing manufacturers' teams with private teams which may not be ready for the start of the season is not the best solution..."

Scalded by a disastrous 2009 season, the President of Ferrari also calls for more private tests: “We have to find a good balance. Before we could drive constantly, whereas today we are not allowed a single day of testing..."

As for the GP format itself, Montezemolo puts forward some common sense ideas: “Should the races be held at 14 p.m. or 15 p.m. in the middle of summer? Football matches take place later. Are 2-hour GPs required? Maybe it's too long. Do tickets have to be this expensive? It is now cheaper to cross the planet than to buy a good ticket to Monza. I don't want to be arrogant or presumptuous, but we need to do serious studies to discuss all of this. »