Montezemolo: "If the single engine for all the teams had passed, four or five manufacturers would have abandoned"

On the occasion of the traditional exchange of greetings with the press, which took place on Wednesday in Maranello, the President of Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo, made some statements regarding the recent economic crisis, which is also affecting Formula 1 and the entire world of car. "Enzo Ferrari told me in the '70s that we would find 1.500 'crazy people' who bought a Ferrari, crisis or no crisis. I believe that, by adjusting the numbers, we will continue to find 6.000 'crazy people'."

"But we are thinking of waiting for the launch of cars that are already ready at better times. We will certainly present the Fiat 500 Cabrio. Other new products could be postponed, including the Alfa Romeo 149". It is in this context that "the crisis has accelerated what we would have had to face in F1 anyway".

Regarding the decisions ratified by the FIA ​​a few days ago, the President then declared, regarding the single engine hypothesis: "It was the opportunity to seize the opportunity and abandon F1. If the single engine had passed for all the teams, at least four, maybe five car manufacturers would have abandoned. And I mean four or five in addition to Ferrari. That is, all of them." "The FIA ​​did well, Max Mosley did well in raising the problem of savings – he says – But they were aiming for 2010, which is the day after tomorrow. Instead, it is in 2009 that the crisis will have its effects. Here in Maranello, in July there was the first meeting of all the teams that gave life to Fota. There is a good climate of unity. We have achieved this saving on engines, 50%, already next year. And since 2012, with our plan, the 50% savings will cover the entire budget." "Since the first meeting of all the teams here in Maranello in July, we have made great strides: already in 2009 we will save 50% on the engines and from 2012 we will save 50% on the entire budget".

Asked about his opinion on the role of Ecclestone and Mosley in this crisis, he said: "Time passes and in a few years I too will retire. The crisis perhaps accelerates a process of renewal which in any case had to be addressed. I know Ecclestone since '73, and I think he's done a great job. Then a few years ago we argued, I called him greedy, about the revenues being divided 70% to him and 30% for all the teams. Now we're 50/50. We'll still have to do something. Let's see. The sport of pitting one against the other in order to govern is certainly over in F1."

Speaking of the drivers, he instead said: "Lewis Hamilton? Very great. But with all due respect I won't change him for Felipe Massa." On possible replacements or purchases: "Usually – he replies – it is Ferrari that chooses. And I am convinced that it is Ferrari that makes a driver popular." "Raikkonen came to Ferrari and won the world championship. If Massa didn't win it this year it was our fault. A certain Schumacher took years and when he said goodbye he had the country in his hands. Felipe is very popular, for the man he is, for the great driver he has proven to be, for the stupendous way in which he was able to lose this world championship."

Ferrari