Ferrari threaten to leave Formula 1......again

[CaptainRaiden]

This is getting old: Montezemolo

Montezemolo’s ultimatum: Formula 1 must change

Luca di Montezemolo has warned Formula 1’s rule makers that the World Championship must alter its image in order to sustain a position atop the motorsport ladder. In particular, the Italian has highlighted technical regulations, a lack of in-season testing for young drivers and an introduction of third cars. Furthermore, he again states that Ferrari will leave the sport if its demands are not met.

In-season testing has been outlawed since the start of 2009 on the basis of lowering costs, although Montezemolo is sure that this will generate an ultimately negative effect as up and coming drivers are denied opportunities to test F1 vehicles.

“Formula 1 is still our life, but without Ferrari there is no Formula 1 - just as, without Formula 1, Ferrari would be different,” company President Montezemolo says via an article on the Ferrari website. “We can be very patient but there are precise conditions for us to continue with our work. We race not just for the publicity it brings us but, above all, to carry out advanced research aimed at all aspects of our road cars - the engine, chassis, mechanical components, electronics, materials and aerodynamics - to such an extent that the technology transfer from track to road has grown exponentially over the past twenty years.

“What is not so good is that 90 percent of performance is now based exclusively on aerodynamics and another negative is that ours is the only sport where no testing is allowed. We are building cars - not helicopters, rockets or planes. Sure, we must not go back to the excesses of a few years ago, but neither should we be in a position where we can’t provide opportunities for the youngsters we are bringing in through the Ferrari Driver Academy.”

Montezemolo also reiterates that third cars for the top teams would be healthier for the sport than competing against a number of smaller, uncompetitive outfits.

“Finally, there’s the issue of the third car which, mark my words, we support not so much for our own interests but more for those of the sport in general,” he continued. “We believe the interest of the fans, media and sponsors could increase if there is a bigger number of competitive cars on-track rather than cars that are two or three seconds off the pace, being lapped after just a few laps.

“As an example, remember in 1961 Giancarlo Baghetti won the French Grand Prix at Reims with a privately entered Ferrari; there you are, it would be nice one day in the future to see one of our cars running in American colours, or Chinese, or maybe those of Abu Dhabi.

“We will support our views as we see fit, in the best way possible, but let’s be clear: for those who agree, that is fine, but otherwise they will just have to accept it is our position. If Formula 1 still wants Ferrari, it must change and go back to being at the cutting edge of research, while always keeping an eye on costs. We are not in Formula 1 as sponsors, we are constructors.”

Ferrari last threatened to pull out of F1 as the row between teams and governing body the FIA – including the chance of a breakaway series – rumbled on in 2009.

[The Black Knight]

Hopefully he will leave and then we won't have to listen to his **** anymore. As I said in another thread, Ferrari needs F1 more than F1 needs Ferrari. If Ferrari left F1, F1 will still be the pinnacle of motorsport.

[ArrowsFA1]

It is getting old but Ferrari are no different to any other team. They want to protect their interests, however Luca's oft repeated claim that "without Ferrari there is no Formula 1" is posturing and nothing more.

[AndyL]

"without Ferrari there is no Formula 1"

Perhaps if Luca is so concerned about the interests of the sport as a whole, he could suggest how to rectify this over-dependence on a single team.

[Rollo]

Are you Lancia in disguise?

[SGWilko]

Call his bluff, and suggest he runs along now and plays with the politicians and leaves F1 for good.....

[SGWilko]

Are you Lancia in disguise?

Do we have a forummer bythe name of 'Rusty'?

[Knock-on]

Perhaps Luca wants preferential treatment for Ferrari again.

[kfzmeister]

Aside from all the Luca/ Ferrari bashing, i see good points in his argument.

He talks of more testing for the drivers and young guns, a third car for the teams (more competition towards the front, rather than too much traffic from the backmarkers), less aerodynamics controlling the show, more innovation (and trying to keep costs down), etc.,...

How is this bad? Perhaps it's time for some good arguments about why or why not!!

[inimitablestoo]

Third cars? No thanks. Only if the grid shrinks below about 16 cars - and even then, I'd give first refusal to the smaller teams. Not for any competitive reasons, just to wind Luca up