Montezemolo: My 'duty' to fix F1

[vcs316]

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has warned he is prepared to take action to improve Formula 1.

Fiercely critical of the sport's direction, culminating in the new era of quiet hybrid engines, the Ferrari president invited major stakeholders to an emergency meeting.

According to German magazine Focus, Montezemolo said: "The rules are too complicated, the drivers have turned into taxi drivers. They must save fuel and tyres instead of being fast. The teams have to decide how much fuel they're using and how many tyres are wearing out. Before, it was the best man winning in the best car."

FERRARI CRISIS

He added: "Now, the viewers - the ones in the stands and the ones in front of their TVs - no longer understand. As it is now, we must do something. Otherwise F1 has no chance."

Montezemolo said it was up to F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to act. "If he doesn't, I'll do it myself. I see it as my duty. The need to do something to recover the lost charm of F1 is urgent."

At the same time there are those who believe Ferrari has more pressing issues to addres, such as the pace of its F1 car.

It's believed engine chief Luca Marmorini has now paid the price for Ferrari's 2014 struggle by leaving Maranello and the latest rumours are that designer Nikolas Tombazis and technical chief Pat Fry are also in doubt.

The trend has Ferrari insider Leo Turrini worried: "I do not think the decline in performance can be attributed to individuals."

http://www.wheels24.co.za/News/Monte...x-F1-20140714?

[Greig]

Not sure he can say the fans don't understand, because we do. Tyre management from the driver is hardly something new either.

[Kingdom Hearts]

Your duty is to give your drivers a better car.

[gjoko-mkd]

First he have to fix the Ferarri, then the F1

[stefa]

Your duty is to give your drivers a better car.

First he have to fix the Ferarri, then the F1

EXACTLY!!!

[Nova]

I agree w/Luca. Thing is, his point would be better well understood if our cars were doing better.
Then the performance would not be seen as the reason he wants to fix F1.

[hogo]

First he have to fix the Ferarri, then the F1

I strongly disagree, I wouldn't enjoy F1 as it is now even if we would have a winning car.

[Suzie]

People high up in F1 really do treat fans like idiots sometimes. Saying we don't understand what's happening, or trying to do things to improve the 'show' as if we're a bunch of morons who wants gimmicky things like artificial sparks and double points, despite all the evidence to the contrary. Pfft!!

[13njb]

Ferrari needs some fixing and F1 needs a lot of fixing.

[Kiwi Nick]

LDM is right in one very basic fact...the rules are far, far too complicated. The FIA have basically written the rules for a spec series and asked eleven different teams to build the cars. The hubris of the FIA in assuming that the know best how to build a race car, when compared to Ferrari, Macca, Merc, Red Bull..., is what has damaged the sport.

Indy Car is basically a spec; Dallara chassis and either Chevy or Honda engines. Nobody pi55e5 or moans about this or that being illegal, the cars are all the same. Nobody wants to see that happen to F1. But, the point is, you cannot have it both ways. If the FIA want spec cars they should hire Dallara to build them. If they want teams to build their own cars they need to simplify the rules.

[Stormy]

Its good of LDM to press this issues about F1.
Of course his top priority should be building a better car and im sure he is doing that, but Ferrari as a top team in F1 looking overall should be concerned about where F1 is going, and i think LDM makes a point.

[mirafiori]

I totally agree with Luca, the rules are to complicated and he is right drivers have become taxi drivers, what he means by taxi drivers is if you own a taxi you taxi your customers around trying to use less fuel and less tyre wear to maximise profits, do we really want drivers saying over team radio do I fight for position or let the opposition through to conserve tyre wear. So many things wrong hardly any testing, only allowed so many engines and gearboxes, how many teams will now stop developing there cars and we are only half way through the season, It won't be easy for Luca to change some of these issue's especially with Ferrari lagging behind but surly something has to be done, world wide viewing figures on the whole is down so many stupid rules what other sport does not let young sportsman and women through no testing unable to learn their trade.

[aroutis]

Your duty is to give your drivers a better car.

First he have to fix the Ferarri, then the F1

He had duty to both Ferrari and f1
F1 is broken and Ferrari needs rebuild. For the second he had a new man in place and empowered him but for f1 he is the one to do the pushing.

[REDARMYSOJA]

This won't be the first time Ferrari has had to save F1 from itself.

[ferrari4life]

The fact that F1 needs fixing is not something that he should be worrying himself with.

The fact that he sat by and watched as Ferrari self-destructed is what he should be fixing. He can blame all the F1 changes as much as he wants but these are just smoke and mirrors to distract from the real issue. Everyone knew that the changes were coming they were just to complacent to do anything about it. He allowed that to creep into the team.

This just proves that the dream team that we had in the late 90's is what turned us around. and unfortunately he did not do all he could to keep it together. Guess a few members are bigger than the "team" in this case.

[Rosso Corsa]

The fact that F1 needs fixing is not something that he should be worrying himself with.

The lower viewing figures risk driving down the financial value of the sport, and ultimately that will impact Ferrari. I think that's why Luca is worrying.

[ferrari4life]

The lower viewing figures risk driving down the financial value of the sport, and ultimately that will impact Ferrari. I think that's why Luca is worrying.

If Ferrari was doing well in F1, Ferrari would be taking care of itself. I do not think that Mercedes or Red Bull is currently worried about the viewing figures. Those teams are more worried about winning.

[Rosso Corsa]

If Ferrari was doing well in F1, Ferrari would be taking care of itself. I do not think that Mercedes or Red Bull is currently worried about the viewing figures. Those teams are more worried about winning.

Every team will be worried about viewing figures. Even the ones who are winning.

[wisepie]

Quite agree with LdM on the issue of F1 and the over-complicated rules, but I wonder if he would be saying it quite so loudly if Ferrari were performing better. Something went drastically wrong with the direction the team went in with the new rules, but blaming any one individual is a bit of a cop-out IMO. LdM himself may well have dropped the ball!

[Silent Bob]

Doesn't really matter what state ferrari is in right now, they need to make sure F1 is healthy and drawing new spectators. Saying its better to just look after our car and forget the bigger picture could lead s to having a good car in a crap series, or worse with no competition because the money and luster has left. Have to look after the fans or there might not be much worth watching. For myself, I find that most races these days are boring and I don't like the direction f1 is heading. Teams need to refuel and use whichever tire they want. Manufactured racing is hollow.

[Greig]

I have enjoyed the racing very much this year, the cars are a handfull to drive and the drivers are really having to work.

Luca wanted this new era in F1 which makes it even funnier.

[aroutis]

Doesn't really matter what state ferrari is in right now, they need to make sure F1 is healthy and drawing new spectators. Saying its better to just look after our car and forget the bigger picture could lead s to having a good car in a crap series, or worse with no competition because the money and luster has left. Have to look after the fans or there might not be much worth watching. For myself, I find that most races these days are boring and I don't like the direction f1 is heading. Teams need to refuel and use whichever tire they want. Manufactured racing is hollow.

Could not have said it better. It is highly short sighted to think that just looking after of your team in a league that is dieing will do you any good.

[NickEice]

I really can't understand the constant moaning this year from fans. The racing has been pretty damn good. For most of the races they have been able to push. Tires last and don't fall off a cliff, fuel saving hasn't been a huge issue. Bunch of toruqe has made the cars harder to drive, maybe not as physically straining, but more difficult to get a perfect lap.

Ferrari hasn't done an awful job this year. We are basically in the same place Red Bull is. Our engine is a bit better. Their aero is a bit better. Status quo from the past few seasons. Mercedes really stole a march on everyone. Kudos to them. Don't call it fire and brimstone at Maranello when if it wasn't for the Power Unit advantage we'd be in the midst of a great championship battle.

The more us fans moan and for some reason turn off the TV and talk about the processional races from 10 years ago as the glory days, the more the FIA is going to try and change something. This leads to them coming up with these crazy ideas.

This sport always changes. Jochen Rindt thought wings on cars were a crazy idea, sadly he paid with his life. As long as fast cars are battling on track with some of the best drivers in the world, I am happy.

[Kiwi Nick]

I really can't understand the constant moaning this year from fans.

I think it's pretty simple. The fans feel that their favorite teams and/or drivers are being restrained/constrained by silly rules. That leaves a bad taste in their mouths and results in a lot of moaning.

[Greig]

I think it's pretty simple. The fans feel that their favorite teams and/or drivers are being restrained/constrained by silly rules. That leaves a bad taste in their mouths and results in a lot of moaning.

The tight rules are probably helping us, due to us having a lack of talent at Maranello.

It's not like we won constantly when the rules were less strict either. Just another Luca Di smokescreen to either get a better deal from Bernie or to hide from his own failings to fix Ferrari.

[NickEice]

I think it's pretty simple. The fans feel that their favorite teams and/or drivers are being restrained/constrained by silly rules. That leaves a bad taste in their mouths and results in a lot of moaning.

I think 95% of what is restraining Alonso, Kimi and Ferrari is Ferrari, not the rules. They are the same for everyone. The only rule I think needed chaning this year was the engine freeze. The rules are the same for everyone. Not fair to blame the FIA.

[REDARMYSOJA]

I doubt Luca woke up one morning and decided this on his own. I would think he already knows he has the support of other teams, he can't force any change without them.

[The Architect]

It wouldn't matter if Ferrari were winning, this is not F1. Teams can't develop and test cars, tyres artificially degrade to generate fake racing, overtaking aids grant a following car an unfair advantage, double points make no sense. And as for the races... Is it the driver? Fuel consumption too high? Batteries not recharging? Software needs a reboot at the next pit stop? Tyres going off? Not run the useless compound tyre yet? DRS stuck open/closed? I can't think of too many years where it's been about everything but the driver. We have these absurd 90 minute endurance races almost every weekend that are impossible to follow, but for the fact the fastest car will surely win and finishing order will be dictated by engine.

I can't think of a year I've been more indifferent about Ferrari not performing.

[sweeper1101]

The only people that understands the rule's now are the one's that have been following F1 for a couple of years.
I doubt if any person not understanding the rules of the sport will love seeing a driver letting another let pass by after being pushed out of the track and gaining a position. Much worse why another had to pass by the pit a few laps to go to have his tire changed (cause he hasn't used both compounds).

One has to know the sport to love it...

[stefa]

It wouldn't matter if Ferrari were winning, this is not F1. Teams can't develop and test cars, tyres artificially degrade to generate fake racing, overtaking aids grant a following car an unfair advantage, double points make no sense. And as for the races... Is it the driver? Fuel consumption too high? Batteries not recharging? Software needs a reboot at the next pit stop? Tyres going off? Not run the useless compound tyre yet? DRS stuck open/closed? I can't think of too many years where it's been about everything but the driver. We have these absurd 90 minute endurance races almost every weekend that are impossible to follow, but for the fact the fastest car will surely win and finishing order will be dictated by engine.

I can't think of a year I've been more indifferent about Ferrari not performing.

You have read my thoughts! Exactly. I agree 100%