32 replies to this topic

[PoleMan]

Luca says 2013 was a disappointment, expects Kimi and Nando to work well together in 2014 and explains his 8 out of 10 rating for Alonso. Some other "Luca logic" nuggets in there, too.

 

http://pitpass.com/5...-year-to-forget

 

On Vettel:

 

"Better than Senna? Ecclestone says what suits him but there is no doubt he is a great driver. He is a serious young man who has won a lot and therefore he deserves respect. I congratulate him and Red Bull. Vettel at Ferrari? Who knows what the future holds? But for now, drivers are definitely not a problem for us."

 

On Kimi and Alonso: 

 

"Alonso is maybe the strongest race driver I've ever met, even if it is always difficult to make comparisons with the past. We have taken Raikkonen back for his experience, for what he has done over the past two years and because he is much loved inside and outside the team." 

Edited by PoleMan, 26 November 2013 - 23:47.

[RockyRaccoon68]

Looks like Luca is working to repair the PR mess he himself created over the summer break!

[PoleMan]

Yep, plus takes a couple slaps at Ecclestone. I was a bit surprised to see him nail Massa to the cross, though he's correct in saying they expected more points from Felipe. Wonder when Ferrari plan to use their veto power? Some selective uses might have scored them a couple WDCs. Where is this "cut-throat" Ferrari team I've heard stories about? They really could use a guy like Brawn. Stefano can stay on as "the boss" who is responsible for cheering the team on. 

[Kingshark]

Ferrari need guys like Brawn and Briatore in charge. Dominecali is just not aggressive enough.

Regarding drivers, Ferrari certainly have no lack of. Strongest pairing on the grid for 2014, and only Merc really come close in that department.

Edited by Kingshark, 27 November 2013 - 00:18.

[Shiroo]

Ferrari need guys like Brawn and Briatore in charge. Dominecali is just not aggressive enough.

Regarding drivers, Ferrari certainly have no lack of. Strongest pairing on the grid for 3013, and only Merc really come close in that department.

 

You surely mean 2014.

And agree about Domenicalli. Compared to Brawn or Horner (the later, really amazes me), he is a puppet.

Edited by Shiroo, 27 November 2013 - 00:02.

[George Costanza]

I have to laugh at Luca being Alonso being better than vintage Schumacher.

 

 

I am a big fan of Ferrari anf Fernando but Michael gave Ferrari no driver ever did before or since.

Edited by George Costanza, 27 November 2013 - 00:26.

[George Costanza]

Ferrari need guys like Brawn and Briatore in charge. Dominecali is just not aggressive enough.

Regarding drivers, Ferrari certainly have no lack of. Strongest pairing on the grid for 2014, and only Merc really come close in that department.

 

Ferrari would love Ross back. I think that's the only thing stopping Ferrari from truly winning.

[PoleMan]

I have to laugh at Luca being Alonso being better than vintage Schumacher.

 

 

I am a big fan of Ferrari anf Fernando but Michael gave Ferrari no driver ever did before or since.

To be fair to Luca, he said Alonso was "maybe the strongest," not the "best." He also said it was difficult to compare drivers of different eras (Yes, Schumi raced with Alonso, but at opposite ends of their careers. I'm not including the comeback.).

[Kingshark]

Did anyone read this article?

 

http://www.f1fanatic...ly-montezemolo/

 

Ferrari could not be stronger politically - Montezemolo

 

Red Bull may have won the last four world championships but Ferrari still wield ultimate political power in Formula One, says Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

 

Ferrari has gone five years without winning a championship but as Montezemolo told Italy’s RAI Uno television channel, the team remain uniquely important to F1.

 

“We have reached an agreement with Ecclestone and the FIA and we are the only team with the right of veto: more political weight than that is impossible,” said Montezemolo.

 

“We are aware of our strength in Formula One, which without us, would be completely different. Having said that, it’s true that weight also comes from having a winning car and that was lacking. The rest is all gossip.”

 

The Ferrari president laughed off Bernie Ecclestone’s recent comments that Red Bull team principal Christian Horner would be the best person to succeed him in charge of Formula One:

 

“Ecclestone sees Horner as his successor? As the years go by, he more and more enjoys making jokes and I’m happy he still has the desire to do so…”

 

Ferrari slipped to third in the constructors’ championship this year, which Montezemolo blamed on Felipe Massa’s penalty for repeatedly crossing the white lane at the pit lane entry during the Brazilian Grand Prix.

 

“I think it was disproportionate and unjust, as was [Lewis] Hamilton’s,” said Montezemolo, referring to the Mercedes driver’s penalty for causing a collision with Valtteri Bottas.

 

“If Felipe had stayed in fourth place, we would have been second in the constructors’ championship.

 

“Every so often, the gentlemen who come to the races to act as stewards make decisions that are a bit ridiculous and anachronistic. One needs to be careful that we maintain credibility, for the work of the teams that invest money and for the drivers who risk their lives.”

Edited by Kingshark, 27 November 2013 - 06:01.

[OvDrone]

Man, listening to Luca, makes it seem like I'm reliving my daily purgatorial monologues, so... I have the same feels as an Italian mogul. On one hand, that makes me sad inside, seeing how Fred Alolsorrow coped with his transitional period. On the other I'll still be traditionary relevant, popular as hell (ladies) and get to hang out with Kimi. See you later f***ers.

Edited by OvDrone, 27 November 2013 - 02:44.

[jstrains]

Very nice Christmas speech from LdM

 

Now seriously - bring on the first 2014 tests

[Atreiu]

Off season begins, Luca reflects.

First race of the season approaches, Luca rallies.

Ferrari does not dominate, Luca urges.

 

Rinse and repeat with as many more rallies and urges and Ferrari's performance demands.

And add the occasional horse whisperer comment which he can't or won't simply say straight faced.

Edited by Atreiu, 27 November 2013 - 04:38.

[Kingshark]

The Ferrari president laughed off Bernie Ecclestone’s recent comments that Red Bull team principal Christian Horner would be the best person to succeed him in charge of Formula One:

 

“Ecclestone sees Horner as his successor? As the years go by, he more and more enjoys making jokes and I’m happy he still has the desire to do so…”

 

Good to see that even Ferrari still have a sense of humor.   

[prty]

If Ferrari have indeed veto rights that makes them even more stupid, see Silverstone 2011 and after.

[Schuttelberg]

This interview for me precisely depicts why I've never warmed to LdM. 

 

I don't understand him commenting on the stewards. Massa broke a rule, he was punished for it and deservedly so. People always tend to see the emotional side of things, but if I were a Mercedes team authority, I would have ensured a penalty is meted out. Rules don't change according to situations and emotions and if LdM is smart enough to realise that drivers are risking their lives, then he should be smart enough to know that these rules are made keeping in mind that very thought. 

 

His opinion of Alonso is rather correct though. I feel Alonso has qualified poorly this year, but all and all, he looks like he can challenge Vettel in a good car. That doesn't undermine Vettel. He's the class of the field at the moment. I think he's every bit the driver Alonso is, even better and if he can keep his head where he has all these years, he will continue to be at the sharp end of the field. 

 

Having said all this, LdM has gone way over board calling Alonso the finest race driver, unless he never met Prost/Schumacher/Raikkonen. I think he's as usual talking his team up but he sometimes would be better off trying to remember just how much he's craving the success of the years gone by. There was a team that worked their careers off to get Ferrari where it is and he could show a little more respect? 

 

Lastly, for me, the way LdM talks, he really insults and disrespects the sport, the people who govern it and the drivers. For him, Ferrari is above everything and his personal ego above that. It's been seen in various episodes and this is another. In the 2000's, the dream team was proud to wear a red suit with the prancing horse on it. The current lot is more on the arrogant side. 

 

Edit : I just hope a quiet, determined and steely fin has the season of his life next year and beats Alonso. I hope there's war between that Ferrari garage and LdM looks like the blazing donkey he truly is!

Edited by Schuttelberg, 27 November 2013 - 08:52.

[Lights]

That last article is.. arrogant and just wrong. I don't really have something 'against' LdM but this doesn't help.

[boldhakka]

Those are all reasonable comments by LdM. Not sure why there's a need for all the mocking.

[sopa]

If Ferrari have indeed veto rights that makes them even more stupid, see Silverstone 2011 and after.

 

I wonder, what can they actually do with this veto power. They couldn't stop Pirelli changing tyres mid-2013 either. So what CAN they influence? Or what have they actually influenced?

 

It is amusing though how publicly proud LDM is of the fact that they have veto power.

"The rightful position of Ferrari as the most important team is served by us having an ability to inferfere with rule changes and also having close to 100M $ FOM bonus from BCE. These facts cement Ferrari's golden position in F1, as we shine like a sun above the big racing circus. All the racing fans around the globe can be proud of out great racing heritage and importance in F1."

[Gilles4Ever]

IIRC when the FIA want to change rules the teams must agree or they must do it in the name of safety. As I understand it's not majority rule, the teams must agree unanimously so any team could effectively veto a rule change. For this reason I really don't get what LdM is on about besides some kind of political chest beating.

[Jovanotti]

LdM being so vocal about it could well show that their position isn't as undisputed as it used to be.

[ArkZ]

I wonder, what can they actually do with this veto power. They couldn't stop Pirelli changing tyres mid-2013 either. So what CAN they influence? Or what have they actually influenced?

 

It is amusing though how publicly proud LDM is of the fact that they have veto power.

"The rightful position of Ferrari as the most important team is served by us having an ability to inferfere with rule changes and also having close to 100M $ FOM bonus from BCE. These facts cement Ferrari's golden position in F1, as we shine like a sun above the big racing circus. All the racing fans around the globe can be proud of out great racing heritage and importance in F1."

 

Ferrari agreed to change tires in name of safety, it's not like Ferrari disagreed and they changed tires. 

Surely Ferrari could stop off-throttle blown after Silverstone but again the team agreed to still use it,

also Ferrari could vetoed V6 engines says Ecclestone “The one that could have stopped [the 2014 engine rules], really, was Ferrari. Ferrari had a veto over a lot of these changes when they were made, and they didn’t veto it. If they had, I’d have completely supported it.”

[prty]

This interview for me precisely depicts why I've never warmed to LdM. 

 

I don't understand him commenting on the stewards. Massa broke a rule, he was punished for it and deservedly so. People always tend to see the emotional side of things, but if I were a Mercedes team authority, I would have ensured a penalty is meted out. Rules don't change according to situations and emotions and if LdM is smart enough to realise that drivers are risking their lives, then he should be smart enough to know that these rules are made keeping in mind that very thought. 

 

His opinion of Alonso is rather correct though. I feel Alonso has qualified poorly this year, but all and all, he looks like he can challenge Vettel in a good car. That doesn't undermine Vettel. He's the class of the field at the moment. I think he's every bit the driver Alonso is, even better and if he can keep his head where he has all these years, he will continue to be at the sharp end of the field. 

 

Having said all this, LdM has gone way over board calling Alonso the finest race driver, unless he never met Prost/Schumacher/Raikkonen. I think he's as usual talking his team up but he sometimes would be better off trying to remember just how much he's craving the success of the years gone by. There was a team that worked their careers off to get Ferrari where it is and he could show a little more respect? 

 

Lastly, for me, the way LdM talks, he really insults and disrespects the sport, the people who govern it and the drivers. For him, Ferrari is above everything and his personal ego above that. It's been seen in various episodes and this is another. In the 2000's, the dream team was proud to wear a red suit with the prancing horse on it. The current lot is more on the arrogant side. 

 

Edit : I just hope a quiet, determined and steely fin has the season of his life next year and beats Alonso. I hope there's war between that Ferrari garage and LdM looks like the blazing donkey he truly is!

 

So to sum up the post, you disagree with everything that LdM says. Except when he doesn't put Alonso in a 100% positive light, he's right then.

Edited by prty, 27 November 2013 - 13:15.

[Tsarwash]

I agree with him on the need for some permanent race stewards. I think the Hamilton penalty was a little harsh, as it seemed like a racing incident to me, (while being Hamilton's fault.) On Massa's penalty I don't know. But we need consistency which we are just not getting at the moment. Charlie Whiting needs a kick up the arse. As the upholder of the rules, he is frankly failing. Who cares or takes seriously whether the head of Ferrari thinks a current Ferrari driver is the best ever or not ? He is always going to be partisan.

[ViMaMo]

I have to laugh at Luca being Alonso being better than vintage Schumacher.

 

 

I am a big fan of Ferrari anf Fernando but Michael gave Ferrari no driver ever did before or since.

 

Maybe vintage Michael would have given a win or two extra but on the overall Michael was from a different era and Alonso has met Michael head on with favorable results. 

[Atreiu]

If Ferrari have indeed veto rights that makes them even more stupid, see Silverstone 2011 and after.

 

Sure, they veto whatever they want, Renault and Mercedes pull out and Ferrari win a bunch of trophies competing against themselves.

[dau]

IIRC when the FIA want to change rules the teams must agree or they must do it in the name of safety. As I understand it's not majority rule, the teams must agree unanimously so any team could effectively veto a rule change. For this reason I really don't get what LdM is on about besides some kind of political chest beating.

That was the old Technical Working Group, i think. In the new F1 Strategy Group, a simple majority will be sufficient. From what was reported though, Ferrari have given up their veto rights there and got the casting vote instead.

 

There's also still the F1 commission where Ferrari theoretically could have veto rights, but i'm not sure about that. There's not much info out there concerning the details of the rulemaking process.

[prty]

Sure, they veto whatever they want, Renault and Mercedes pull out and Ferrari win a bunch of trophies competing against themselves.

 

Do you think teams pull out because of unfairness? 90% of the grid would be out by now then.

At the end of the day they are in for the airtime.

[Atreiu]

Do you think teams pull out because of unfairness? 90% of the grid would be out by now then.

At the end of the day they are in for the airtime.

 

I never said that.

I just think Ferrari backed off in 2011 because it was clear Mercedes and Renault would not roll over and let those rules be rewritten in the middle of the season.

 

And before any comparision is made, it's different to what happened this year because Pirelli is a mere supplier, not a competitor.

Edited by Atreiu, 27 November 2013 - 20:41.

[bourbon]

Luca should make speeches, not answer questions.  And they should be written for him. His dissing of Massa sounds in extremely bad taste at this juncture. 

 

Doesn't Luca realize that we remember 2010 to the present and Massa's consistent under-performance?  Let's be real, it was Luca's decision to keep him on - give him more chances, or support Alonso's thrust - whatever - the blame, responsibility and final decision was his.  It was Luca's screw up and the results are his fault.  He cannot blame Massa now; year 1, sure, perhaps even year 2 post accident.  But years 3 and 4 are all on Luca and for him to call Massa out now, when he has left the team, just comes across as pointlessly malicious.

[ThomFi]

Ha ha, I remember when this article came out and people thought, because of the date, it must be an April fool's joke.

So, at least the veto right is no joke at all.

 

http://www.espn.co.u...ory/104589.html

[halifaxf1fan]

Did anyone read this article?

 

http://www.f1fanatic...ly-montezemolo/

 

Ferrari could not be stronger politically - Montezemolo

 

Red Bull may have won the last four world championships but Ferrari still wield ultimate political power in Formula One, says Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

 

Ferrari has gone five years without winning a championship but as Montezemolo told Italy’s RAI Uno television channel, the team remain uniquely important to F1.

 

“We have reached an agreement with Ecclestone and the FIA and we are the only team with the right of veto: more political weight than that is impossible,” said Montezemolo.

 

“We are aware of our strength in Formula One, which without us, would be completely different. Having said that, it’s true that weight also comes from having a winning car and that was lacking. The rest is all gossip.”

 

The Ferrari president laughed off Bernie Ecclestone’s recent comments that Red Bull team principal Christian Horner would be the best person to succeed him in charge of Formula One:

 

“Ecclestone sees Horner as his successor? As the years go by, he more and more enjoys making jokes and I’m happy he still has the desire to do so…”

 

 

 

 di Montezemolo shouldn't be so worried about Red Bull's political influence and be watching out for Mercedes.  Seeing how Mercedes successfully manipulated, maneuvered, controlled, directed the FIA International Tribunal to avoid any punishment for their illegal private 3 day test session shows me that it is the Germans who are wielding the most power in F1 these days.

[Schuttelberg]

So to sum up the post, you disagree with everything that LdM says. Except when he doesn't put Alonso in a 100% positive light, he's right then.

 

Read my post again. I've only credited Alonso all the way. I don't rate what Alonso and Montezemelo say in interviews ever. It was only 8 years back, where Alonso regarded not winning in a Ferrari as an achievement and LdM wanted to offer a German a life time contract. They tend to say what suits them at the time. As rotten as some of the things Schumacher did were, he never exposed his dirty laundry and till date appreciates whatever Ferrari did for him. I guess it's the class of the man. 

[prty]

I never said that.

I just think Ferrari backed off in 2011 because it was clear Mercedes and Renault would not roll over and let those rules be rewritten in the middle of the season.

 

And before any comparision is made, it's different to what happened this year because Pirelli is a mere supplier, not a competitor.

 

But they were changed in Silverstone, so it would be a case of not changing them back again.

 

Anyway, since Ferrari allowed the new V6 turbo rules, they better show up with a better engine than the others. I don't support having a veto, but given that they have it, if they are not using it for their advantage what's the purpose.