Ferrari is now happy in 2023 when the red racers make it onto the podium in Formula 1. A circumstance that upsets former Scuderia boss Luca di Montezemolo – and makes Enzo Ferrari rotate in his grave.
“Do you know what I find regrettable? That they (Ferrari, ed.) are now celebrating third places like in Spa,” Montezemolo rumbled at “Quotidiano Sportivo”. That doesn’t correspond to the Reds’ DNA “and the old man would never accept that – never,” said the 75-year-old.
He learned a lot from Enzo Ferrari, said Montezemolo. “For example, he taught me never to be satisfied. After a win, he always thought about the next race. At the same time, it was hard work. Enzo hated vacations. In August he kept me in the office, he wasn’t a fan of them who are on vacation in August.”
To explain: In August Italy takes a complete summer break, many shops are closed.
Formula 1: Ferrari no longer a “protagonist”.
Montezemolo worked as Ferrari team boss in Formula 1 in the 1970s and was in charge of Niki Lauda’s first title in 1975 in Maranello. He later moved to the parent company Fiat, in 1991 he became Ferrari President – and as such initiated the era with Michael Schumacher.
“When I was president, I helped create a dream team from Schumacher to Todt, from Brawn to Byrne. As a fan, I don’t dream that Ferrari always wins, but that they always fight for the title until the last race of the season, like that like in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2010 and 2012”, Montezemolo reminisced and criticized the leadership in Maranello: “You can lose, but as a protagonist and not as a second-rate player.”
Ferrari has been far away from world championship fights for years with Sebastian Vettel. The last world champion in the red racer was Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.
Montezemolo sees the basic problem in the structures of the Scuderia – and not in the cockpit. “I would definitely want to keep Charles Leclerc,” said the Italian. “He’s good and I don’t think there are any stronger drivers available at the moment. But at the moment, whoever is driving the car is the least of the team’s problems.”