The previous Ferrari president speaks concerning the Maranello group’s present scenario in System 1. We’re referring to Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, who, even though he has been out of an important motorsport collection 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 group. Throughout his presidency, Ferrari achieved its final System 1 world championship successes, specifically the drivers’ title in 2007 with Kimi Raikkonen and the constructors’ title the next season because of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa.
Ferrari is at present in a interval of transition. The training curve undertaken in 2024 has supplied a transparent sign, although: the Maranello group is uninterested in shedding and is doing every thing to climb again to the highest. That is actually no simple job, because the competitors is all the time very fierce, and any mistake might be deadly. Within the just-concluded System 1 season, as an example, the principle downside was associated to automotive updates. Everybody within the paddock is aware of the story of the SF-24 single-seater: a automotive that began very effectively, with a stable basis on which to construct a rising championship.
And partly, it was so, till the disastrous aerodynamic replace package deal launched by the Maranello group’s engineers and technicians on the Circuit de Catalunya within the Spanish Grand Prix. A flooring that destroyed the Italian facet’s ambitions for achievement, because the technical division took no less than six Grands Prix with a purpose to perceive and treatment the scenario. A lot time was misplaced, throughout which performances have been lower than par for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, and consequently, neither have been the outcomes, resulting in many helpful factors misplaced in opposition to rivals McLaren. A part of the blame lies within the eagerness to anticipate timelines, the place the working group didn’t understand the deceptive context wherein the aerodynamic upgrades have been designed after which produced. For that reason, issues will change within the subsequent System 1 racing marketing campaign.
There will probably be a special strategy, targeted on the cautious research of improvements to carry to the observe. The objective is to emulate McLaren’s strategy, a group able to implementing a number of improvements on the MCL38 and all the time hitting the mark. It’s higher to lose just a few additional weeks however have the mandatory certainties than to waste months and lose the right working level of the automotive. That is the goal that will probably be pursued within the 2025 System 1 championship, when at Maranello, apart from Monegasque Charles Leclerc, the seven-time F1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton may even drive the Ferrari.
There was a lot discuss concerning the Briton and what he can carry from Mercedes after the golden period skilled at Brackley. A wealth of technical data and insights will probably 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 automotive’s growth. The British driver is an absolute champion, essentially 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.
After all, the monetary impression may even be vital; there isn’t any level in hiding it. Nonetheless, the phenomenon from Stevenage is becoming a member of the purple group 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 System 1 journey as a detailed 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 automotive for subsequent yr to be important.
What appears extra fascinating, nevertheless, is his opinion on Lewis Hamilton. Regardless of being almost 40 years previous, 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 System 1 world championship title. That is the objective he has had in thoughts for a very long time, as surpassing Michael Schumacher’s file 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 cope with a far-from-easy teammate. Charles Leclerc, too, fuels the identical need because the Englishman each single day of his life. Furthermore, there are drivers like Max Verstappen, who actually 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 capability to all the time impose himself on opponents, whatever the efficiency of the automotive beneath him.
To conclude, the previous Ferrari president additionally speaks concerning 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 state of affairs, if it occurred as we speak, 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 not merely be erased by sensors embedded within the asphalt to observe observe limits.
System 1 shouldn’t be a precision timepiece. There are elements 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 very important to Luca Cordero di Montezemolo because the air he breathes day by day 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 wonderful selection, as the previous Renault group principal has already confirmed his capabilities previously, performing literal miracles with Benetton, bringing a comparatively unknown group to international prominence.
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