Di Montezemolo still pushing for technical changes
Last Updated: November 7, 2011 9:51am
Di Montezemolo: 'F1 is still our life'
Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has once again voiced his unhappiness with the current technical regulations and testing rules as well as the limit of two cars per team.
Di Montezemolo and everyone else at Maranello have been banging the drum for changes to the rules to reduce the reliance on aerodynamics for several years now, while the current ban on in-season testing also doesn't sit well with the Italian squad.
Di Montezemolo, speaking at Ferrari's World Finals event at Mugello, warned that his team won't hesitate to pull out of the sport if changes are not made.
"Formula 1 is still our life, but without Ferrari there is no Formula 1, just as without Formula 1 Ferrari would be different," said di Montezemolo.
"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: 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 per cent 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 on in the Ferrari Driver Academy."
Competitive cars
Di Montezemolo also renewed his push for Formula One's top teams to be allowed to run third cars.
"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 said.
"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."
He added that changes are needed if the sport doesn't want to see one of the famous names disappear from the grid.
"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," di Montezemolo said.
"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."
Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)
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