Di Montezemolo: No major upheavals at Ferrari
Credit: PlanetF1.com (www.planetf1.com)
Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has ruled out making any major changes after the team's own mistakes cost them this year's World titles.
Despite arriving at the final race of the Championship, Abu Dhabi, with a eight-point lead over his rivals, Fernando Alonso lost the title to Sebastian Vettel by four points due a strategic blunder from the pit wall.
The Scuderia's error, not their first of the season, prompted some speculation that changes could be made to the team's hierarchy with several calls for team boss Stefano Domenicali's head.
Di Montezemolo, though, says that won't happen, although "minor adjustments" could be made.
"In Formula 1 terms, we have very clear targets," he said during the Ferrari Mondiali event.
"Right from Sunday night in Abu Dhabi I immediately tried to console our guys who were crying in the garage, spurring them to immediately look to the future. That is the strength of Ferrari, in that we never give up.
"Changes within the team? That is not our philosophy, because for years now we have adopted a policy based on dynamic stability: a few minor adjustments are possible, but no major upheaval.
"And after all, it has to be said that if we had not got it wrong with that "penalty kick" in Abu Dhabi, today the discussion would be completely different.
"Alonso was amazing, both on and off the track: determined and full of self-belief, a real driving force. I expect a lot from Felipe next year: I am sure he will return to being the man we saw in 2008.
"I am very happy with the work with which Stefano Domenicali is moving us forward, with great ability, spirit and a sense of balance."
Speaking about the final race of the Championship, the Abu Dhabi, the Italian admitted that while it was a bitter blow, he had suffered worse defeats.
"Even if there is much to be sad about when you come within a centimetre of taking the title and then lose it, this has still been an amazing season," di Montezemolo said.
"Having been in Formula 1 for such a long time, this was certainly not the first time I have lost a World Championship at the final race.
"I was in Watkins Glen in 1974 when Clay Regazzoni was fighting it out with Emerson Fittipaldi, then I was in Jerez in 1997 and Suzuka the following year, when it was Schumacher who saw the title slip away at the last.
"The hardest one to take was in 2008: when Felipe crossed the line he was Champion, but then he lost the title the moment Hamilton passed Glock.
"The important point however is that, from 1997 to the present, with a handful of exceptions, Ferrari has always been a contender: after that it's a case of winning or losing which is part of sport, beautiful and terrible at the same time.
"I am pleased to see the team is angry with the outcome rather than disappointed or depressed.
"There is a great will to fight back and be ready for next season, when our aim is to have a car that, right from the start, is capable of winning so that we don't have to play catch-up."
Credit: PlanetF1.com (www.planetf1.com)
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