Montezemolo: “In Ferrari a determination that I haven't seen for a long time”

“The presentation was very emotional, because I was excited, for me Ferrari, together with my family, is the most important part of my life”. This is how President Luca di Montezemolo opened the press conference to present the F10, which took place this morning in Fiorano. Photo Presentation Ferrari F10

“I face this moment with emotion and anticipation, but I won't know where we are before qualifying on Saturday in Bahrain. The team is very determined, and worked with a unity and determination that I haven't seen for a long time."

To numerous journalists who asked him his position regarding Schumacher's return, the President replied: "I love Schumacher, I am the author of the crime, I made him want to race again and honestly I didn't think I would I would have never seen it on a car that isn't a Ferrari. He is a competitor, an opponent, like many others. I'm not worried about the possibility that he has drawn any material from our developments."

Regarding the situation of the drivers in Scuderia Ferrari, the President stated: “When Ferrari decided to take Raikkonen in 2005, the alternative was Alonso, who is now in a fundamental moment in his life, he is mature, young, strong , won two World Cups, one in 2005 and one in 2006, beating us 100%." We have no problems regarding the drivers: we have Massa, who returns with renewed enthusiasm, Alonso of whom I have already spoken, Fisichella as third driver and two highly experienced test drivers, Marc Gene and Luca Badoer.”

There are many questions regarding the renewal and the need for stability for Formula 1: “Formula 1 needs a season of great renewal, to be pursued with 3 fundamental objectives: technological, as it must become the avant-garde outpost to anticipate extreme and innovative technologies for road cars; has credibility to recover, and must pursue sporting justice capable of ensuring stability. Costs are also important, I don't want an F1 that equalises performance downwards, and stable regulations.

From the point of view of the regulations, the President of Ferrari said he was “very in favor of qualifying without petrol as in the past, also in agreement on the choice of tyres. It is a first beginning, with everyone's collaboration; As for teams, rights and the Federation, I believe we can look forward on many things."

He asked a journalist a question regarding the arrival of Valentino Rossi: "I want to make a more general statement: I spoke about the possibility of a third car, not saying that Ferrari must have 3 cars, I know well the objections that could be raised by the small teams. I was speaking in the interest of Formula 1 and potential new entries in Formula 1. The third car could also be useful for young drivers, to help them grow. It's not right that a guy who has never driven goes into a race without ever having done training or testing. The idea is this: I would be happy to give an American or German or Australian team a Ferrari to manage. It would certainly spend less than building a car from scratch, it could field some talented and strong drivers or try young people with potential.

I told Domenicali to work to foresee that some teams, like us, can supply cars to another team.

Coming to Valentino: he is certainly a friend, a champion, a native of Emilia Romagna, a great fan of Formula 1 and motors, and a potential champion in Formula 1. If the conditions were right in 2011 he would have the desire and possibility to make a period of training and adaptation to F1, why not?”