Montezemolo: “2010 was an extraordinary season for Ferrari”

“Even if there is a lot of disappointment when you come within an inch of the world championship and lose, this remains an extraordinary season.” Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has no doubts: despite the bitter ending in Abu Dhabi, 2010 remains a positive season for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro.

“With so many years of service in Formula 1, it is certainly not the first time that I have lost a world championship at the last race” – Montezemolo told some journalists, thinking back to the epilogue of the last championship – “I was in Watkins Glen in 1974 when Clay Regazzoni was fighting for the victory with Emerson Fittipaldi just as I was in Jerez in 1997 and in Suzuka the following year, when it was Schumacher who saw the championship vanish at the last minute. The time that hurt me the most was 2008: when Felipe crossed the finish line as champion only to lose that title when he overtook Hamilton on a Glock. What is important is to know that, from 1997 to today, with a couple of exceptions, Ferrari is always there, fighting: then you win and you lose, this is the law of sport, beautiful and at the same time, terrible. I'm happy to see that the team is angry about the result, not disappointed or depressed. There is a great desire to react and be ready for next season: the objective will be to have a car capable of winning from the start so as not to have to chase."

“In 2011 there will be various technical innovations, from the return of the KERS to the new Pirelli tires to the mobile rear wing” – continued Montezemolo – “We are starting from a solid base, thinking for example of the energy recovery system which, at the end of the last year, it was very competitive. On the rear wing I can say that I hope to start the championship with total clarity in the regulations: not that I have any doubts but the experience of 2009 still burns.”

“Ferrari is on the eve of an important year after a very positive 2010, both from a sporting point of view, I am also thinking of the Granturismo races, and from an economic and product point of view” – concluded Montezemolo – “We are defining the details of the opening of the first showroom in India, we are strengthening ourselves in China and the United States. With Formula 1 we have very clear objectives. Since Sunday evening in Abu Dhabi I immediately tried to cheer up our guys who were crying in the garage, encouraging them to immediately look forward. Ferrari's strength is this: never giving up. Changes in the team? It is not our philosophy, we have been pursuing a policy based on dynamic stability for years: some adjustments are possible but without upheavals. Then the truth is that if we hadn't missed that penalty kick in Abu Dhabi today the conversations would be of a completely different tone. We had an extraordinary Alonso, on and off the track: determined and convinced, a real driving force. I expect a lot from Felipe next year: I'm sure he will return to the same as he was in 2008. I'm very happy with the work that Stefano Domenicali is carrying out, with great ability, spirit and a sense of proportion. I'm happy to be here at an event like this, with Ferrari fans from all over the world: there is no car company that can create something like this.”