Former Ferrari boss, Luca di Montezemolo is shocked by the fact that his former team now celebrates finishing third, claiming team founder Enzo would be aghast.

Montezemolo's association with Ferrari goes back to 1973, when he was placed there by his bosses at FIAT as Enzo Ferrari's assistant. A year later he was put in charge of the racing team.

During his first stint at Maranello he oversaw Niki Lauda's titles before returning to FIAT where he became a senior manager, his responsibilities including the management of a number of the industrial giant’s interests including Cinzano. Along the way he even found time to take on the management of the organizing committee for 1990 World Cup.

In 1991 he was appointed president of Ferrari, and in this role he not only oversaw the resurrection of its road car business but guided the F1 team towards the golden era of the late 90s and early 2000s.

The term DNA is often used in Formula One, particularly by Ferrari as it happens, but in Montezemolo's case it would appear the Scuderia flows in his veins.

With that in mind, it comes as no surprise to learn that he is shocked by the current state of the team, claiming that Enzo Ferrari would not have tolerated the situation.

"Do you know what I find unfortunate?" he tells Quotidiano Sportivo. "That they are now cheering for third place, like at Spa.

"That's not the way Ferrari is," he adds, "and the Old Man would never have accepted that, never.

"Ferrari taught me a lot," he continues. "As an example, he taught me never to settle. After a win, he was always thinking about the next race. At the same time, it was hard work. Enzo hated holidays. In August, he kept me in the office, he was not a supporter of those who went on holiday in August.

"He made me understand that Ferrari is an emotion that holds human and social value in its industry, it is a symbol of research and innovation. As president, between 1991 and 2014, I tried to be faithful to his lesson."

At a time there is much speculation over the team's line-up, Montezemolo, though insisting that this is the least of the team's issues, believes that Charles Leclerc should remain on board.

"Charles I would definitely want to keep," he says, "he is good and, in my opinion, there are no stronger drivers than him available at the moment.

"But currently, whoever is driving the red car is the least of the team's problems," he adds.

"When I was the president, I created a dream team with Schumacher to Todt, from Brawn to Byrne. Look, as a fan, I don't dream of a Ferrari that always wins, but that always fights for the title right up to the last race of the season, like in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2010 and 2012.

"You can lose, but as a protagonist, not as a secondary player."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 19/08/2023 10:09

"@Editor
In my opinion the most "magical" Ferrari was not actually a Ferrari. The original Dino is an incredibly beautiful piece of automotive sculpture and its relative lightness with a V6 a bonus. I had the chance to buy one for an affordable sum about 30 years ago, but decided to wait, needless to say I can no-longer afford one."

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2. Posted by kenji, 19/08/2023 4:12

"@Ed. A close personal friend of mine had two classic Ferraris [ one was a Dino but actual date and type are now forgotten ] I got to ride in one of them. I know what you mean. Despite that a Ferrari is still a Ferrari and they still bring the 'magic' and a mild increase in pulse when ever observed up close and even better when heard in full song.When it comes to the new versus the old I am not so choosy but then again I won't have the luxury of making that choice as the stock market is not showing signs of violentand rapid renewal of an upwards curve."

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3. Posted by Spindoctor, 18/08/2023 22:52

"Too much gossip & to little racing throughout F1 at present. Like McLaren & Mercedes (not to mention Williams) Ferrari are below their best. To win you must excel at the racing, not the gossip. RBR, despite their irritating & often meaningless contributions to the gossip have excelled & won. Others take note."

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4. Posted by Editor, 18/08/2023 14:35

"@ Kenji,

Were it a classic such as a 275GTB4... in a heartbeat. But these new models so popular with rappers and their ilk, not with the proverbial bargepole."

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5. Posted by kenji, 18/08/2023 13:54

"@Max Noble...MonteZ exudes 'bella figura' naturally and is not aquired, that's an important feature in Italy."

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6. Posted by kenji, 18/08/2023 13:50

"@Ed. I take it then that you'd eschew the opportunity [ to own/drive ] a Ferrari should it perchance land in your driveway? Believe it or not as Mr. Ripley says."

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7. Posted by Editor, 18/08/2023 10:30

"Clarification: Increasingly the road going cars are for those with exceedingly vulgar taste in jewellery."

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8. Posted by Max Noble, 18/08/2023 10:04

"Clarification! “These days the road going cars are mobile jewellery” "

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9. Posted by Max Noble, 18/08/2023 10:03

"Ah! The passion that is Ferrari! These days they are mobile jewellery. Back in the day they were the pinnacle of road loving madness. With Kenji on this one. Monte (got a raw deal) was the greatest Ferrari leader since Enzo. He got it, he lived it, he delivered it, he loved it.

His observations of the current Ferrari disaster are spot on. Stop worrying about your drivers, and get the dang business sorted!

I love it when Ferrari are in the mix, but they do not need to win every race/championship.

I know both Gilles and my mum are chuckling at the current circus at Ferrari, and possibly over a fresh Nanaimo bar (plus possibly a suitable sticky…) are rightly amused at the current politics within Ferrari.

"

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10. Posted by kenji, 18/08/2023 2:12

"@ Wokingchap....lots of water under the bridge but the records stand for themselves. Monte built a winning team and hasn't been outdone ever since. I'd say he still has the 'right stuff' despite the passing of time. The Ferrari 'cheering' a third place was, IMO, a sign of the parlous state of Ferrari. I am disappointed to say that I don't see any vast positive changes looming on the horizon."

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11. Posted by Wokingchap, 17/08/2023 17:15

"At editor..... took you by surprise eh... haaaa.

"

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12. Posted by Editor, 17/08/2023 10:18

"Wokingchap DEFENDING Ferrari?

Wonders will never cease"

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13. Posted by Wokingchap, 17/08/2023 10:00

"Expecting their drivers to win (at any cost) and nothing less is totally unrealistic and impossible. This is the attitude that ruins their reputation and builds false hopes for their followers.
3rd place certainly is to be celebrated, especially when having a bum season. Mercedes, among others, even celebrated just getting in the top 10, as any right minded team would considering their position at the time.
So KENJI, afraid I disagree.... Montezem has the wrong stuff ....imo."

Montezemolo blasts Ferrari

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