The previous Ferrari president speaks in regards to the Maranello crew’s present scenario in Method 1. We’re referring to Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, who, even if he has been out of an important motorsport sequence for a lot of seasons, continues to observe the fortunes of the Prancing Horse with nice affection. On a number of events, nevertheless, his criticisms of Ferrari’s administration haven’t been missing, because the 77-year-old Italian entrepreneur is aware of effectively what it means to bear the burden of the historic Italian crew. Throughout his presidency, Ferrari achieved its final Method 1 world championship successes, specifically the drivers’ title in 2007 with Kimi Raikkonen and the constructors’ title the next season due to Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa.
Ferrari is at the moment in a interval of transition. The training curve undertaken in 2024 has offered a transparent sign, although: the Maranello crew is bored with shedding and is doing all the things to climb again to the highest. That is definitely no straightforward activity, because the competitors is at all times very fierce, and any mistake may be deadly. Within the just-concluded Method 1 season, as an example, the principle downside was associated to automobile updates. Everybody within the paddock is aware of the story of the SF-24 single-seater: a automobile that began very effectively, with a strong basis on which to construct a rising championship.
And partly, it was so, till the disastrous aerodynamic replace package deal launched by the Maranello crew’s engineers and technicians on the Circuit de Catalunya within the Spanish Grand Prix. A ground that destroyed the Italian aspect’s ambitions for fulfillment, because the technical division took at the least six Grands Prix in an effort to perceive and treatment the scenario. A lot time was misplaced, throughout which performances have been less than par for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, and consequently, neither have been the outcomes, resulting in many precious factors misplaced towards rivals McLaren. A part of the blame lies within the eagerness to anticipate timelines, the place the working group didn’t notice the deceptive context through which the aerodynamic upgrades have been designed after which produced. For that reason, issues will change within the subsequent Method 1 racing marketing campaign.
There can be a distinct strategy, targeted on the cautious research of improvements to deliver to the observe. The purpose is to emulate McLaren’s strategy, a crew able to implementing a number of improvements on the MCL38 and at all times hitting the mark. It’s higher to lose just a few additional weeks however have the required certainties than to waste months and lose the correct working level of the automobile. That is the goal that can be pursued within the 2025 Method 1 championship, when at Maranello, apart from Monegasque Charles Leclerc, the seven-time F1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton may also drive the Ferrari.
There was a lot discuss in regards to the Briton and what he can deliver from Mercedes after the golden period skilled at Brackley. A wealth of technical data and insights can be contributed to the Scuderia. The know-how amassed by Lewis Hamilton will undoubtedly be very helpful. Furthermore, the expertise and sensitivity of the English driver will information the automobile’s improvement. The British driver is an absolute champion, probably the most profitable one within the an important class of motorsport. For that reason, his arrival in Italy can’t be described as merely a business operation.
In fact, the monetary impression may also be important; there isn’t any level in hiding it. Nonetheless, the phenomenon from Stevenage is becoming a member of the purple crew to assist Ferrari erase that bothersome zero within the title column, which has been persistently current within the standings since 2008. Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, as talked about. A person who started his Method 1 journey as an in depth collaborator of Enzo the “Drake” Ferrari. His expertise is undoubtedly immense, however this doesn’t stop him from commenting on Ferrari with a sure simplicity. The Italian businessman considers the presence of a aggressive automobile for subsequent 12 months to be important.
What appears extra attention-grabbing, nevertheless, is his opinion on Lewis Hamilton. Regardless of being almost 40 years outdated, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is satisfied that the Briton cares little about advertising and marketing. Lewis Hamilton will grip the Ferrari steering wheel with two aspirations: staying forward of his Maranello teammate and profitable his eighth Method 1 world championship title. That is the purpose he has had in thoughts for a very long time, as surpassing Michael Schumacher’s document and, in a single stroke, bringing Ferrari again to the highest of the world would make him a motorsport legend much more than he already is in his lengthy F1 profession.
Nonetheless, he must deal with a far-from-easy teammate. Charles Leclerc, too, fuels the identical want because the Englishman each single day of his life. Furthermore, there are drivers like Max Verstappen, who really outdid himself in 2024. That is Luca di Montezemolo’s view on the Dutchman’s phenomenal efficiency. A driver who can solely be praised abundantly, given his expertise and his innate skill to at all times impose himself on opponents, whatever the efficiency of the automobile beneath him.
To conclude, the previous Ferrari president additionally speaks in regards to the FIA, significantly relating to on-track duels which are sensationalized with each single contact. This restrictive strategy to racing battles doesn’t sit effectively with the Italian, who mentions Gilles Villeneuve and Rene Arnoux of their epic conflict at Dijon within the 1979 French Grand Prix. Such a situation, if it occurred right this moment, could be unacceptable. “They’d throw them in jail these days,” feedback Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, and he has his causes. Extra rationality is required as a result of feelings, as an example, can’t merely be erased by sensors embedded within the asphalt to observe observe limits.
Method 1 shouldn’t be a precision timepiece. There are points of racing that ought to stay as they’re to maintain the spirit of the class alive and intact. There may be additionally a reminiscence of Michael Schumacher, who’s as important to Luca Cordero di Montezemolo because the air he breathes daily of his life. Lastly, the previous Ferrari chairman wished to share just a few phrases about Flavio Briatore and his new journey with Alpine. It is a superb selection, as the previous Renault crew principal has already confirmed his capabilities previously, performing literal miracles with Benetton, bringing a comparatively unknown crew to world prominence.
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