12/02/2016
NEWS STORY
With its last drivers' title in 2007 (Kimi Raikkonen), and its last constructors' crown in 2008, Ferrari is going through something of a drought.
OK, it's not a bad as the 'great drought' between 1980 and 2000, when Michael Schumacher finally secured the first drivers' title for the marque since Jody Scheckter, or the 16-year gap between constructors' titles (1984 - 1999).
Indeed, it's some time since Ferrari went three seasons (1991 - 1993) without winning a single race. But, in terms of the resources at its disposal it's not good.
Consequently, days ahead of the launch of the team's 2016 contender, Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has fired a clear warning shot, making clear that the tifosi aren't the only ones expecting results.
"I was speaking with one of our car dealerships and we agreed that the results of 2015 helped bring back credibility to the brand," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "If we were to somehow fail to win a title over a 10-year span it would be a tragedy," he added.
Recalling his first month in charge, he continued: "When I went to see where we stood in the overall scheme of F1 I realised that we weren't competitive.
"We cleared our ranks," he said, clearly referring to the cull that saw so many familiar names - including Fernando Alonso and Luca di Montezemolo - leave Maranello. "We won because we brought focus back to the team and began to do the things that are really important.
"Maurizio Arrivabene's arrival helped a lot," he admitted. "If he has a defect it isn't on the technical side of things. He is great at creating a team atmosphere. He knows how to make everyone work together."