11/01/2007
NEWS STORY
Yesterday it was the drivers that faced the media at Madonna di Campiglio, today it was the turn of Mario Almondo and Stefano Domenicali, the Technical Director and Sporting Director at Maranello.
Can you explain your job, Mario?
Mario Almondo: I'm very happy to be doing this job. It's an honour to have this responsibility. I've been at Ferrari for 15 years and I've learned from Rory Byrne, Ross Brawn, Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher. I am the technical director, but this is not to be confused with the task undertaken by Ross Brawn, who was the chief at the track as well. That task will be undertaken by Luca Baldisseri. Aldo Costa is head of the chassis design, chief designer is Nicolas Tombadzis. It is not one single person, each person does his own work. It's a well prepared team and we will work 200 percent with intent and energy, we all want to work together. We will refine this organisation over the next few months and set up this collaboration. We have Felipe already and we will introduce Kimi to this organisation.
Can you p[lease tell us about the new car?
MA: It is an innovative car. Our competitors are strong, so we have had to work on the aerodynamics, the suspension, on materials and I think we have a good starting point. We have tried to interpret the regulations as best as we can, and have gone into possible developments with Shell, as well as a new gearbox. But it will be revealed at Maranello.
Yes, there are a few major technical novelties, not overall, but strong, intelligent extremely technical novelties in the car, things that have not been done in the past. In a few days the situation will become clearer.
Is there anything you can tell us regarding new sponsors?
Stefano Domenicali: We are continuing with Philip Morris, which is into the second year of a five year deal. AMD will continue, and there is a financial corporation (Mubadala) from Abu Dhabi.
Stefano, has your role changed?
SD: Jean Todt is still the managing director, he is still the boss. I will continue to work and maintain relationships with the governing body, the staff and be chief at the race tracks and head of our own tracks such as Mugello.
Will Jean Todt still be at all the races?
SD: I can confirm that he will be at the tracks but maybe not right from the start of the weekend.
This is the start of a revolution, there have been many changes. Are you worried about the years to come?
SD: I have had many responsibilities and clearly these responsibilities including looking forward beyond the end of an era. But we have our feet on the ground, we have continuity and we are professional.
MA: I agree with Stefano. After our winning streak, we have to look at the recipe and work with humility, using our skills within the limitations of the job, but we have a great desire to win.
Can you tell us about your career with Ferrari, Mario?
MA: Ferrari contracted me when I was at university in Milan - they keep in contact with many universities in this way - and I started the same day as Stefano.
What will Michael Schumacher's role be?
SD: It's an important question. Michael Schumacher is part of Ferrari, part of its heritage. He knows so much, the key moments in races, for instance, when things change. He knows what it means to be a driver. As an advisor to Ferrari, he can do what he likes, but the decisions will only be taken by the specific people who are responsible for certain areas.
MA: From a technical point of view, meetings which will include Michael have been programmed all year, on technical issues, so that he can interpret the feelings of a driver. We have a new technical organisation which will be helped by Michael Schumacher. We are developing technological aids which will allow him to contribute to tests, even if he is not present, and during meetings and at Maranello.
Will Michael drive the new car?
SD: No, for the time being no.
What is the testing programme?
MA: It could change but 19 test days are programmed before the start of the season.
SD: As of 2008, we will be limited to 30,000 kilometres of testing and this year, a gentleman's agreement limits us to that number. It is an opportunity for us to work differently and plan in advance.
What about this year's rule changes?
SD: The format of the weekend has changed, in that there is a free practice on Friday when we don't have to use the power unit used during the rest of the race weekend. There are two sessions of one and a half hours and non-race drivers must be declared before 4pm on Thursday. We can use four drivers. Practice, qualifying and the race is the same as before on Saturday and Sunday. We are allowed four extra sets of tyres because of the testing on Fridays; this was requested by the race promoters so that the spectators would see cars on circuit. There is an interesting suggestion that drivers will be obliged to use at least one set of the tyres that they haven't chosen and it's suggested by Bridgestones that these are coloured differently but I don't have any further information on this. Another change is that when the safety car is out, cars cannot pit to refuel. They can change tyres, but not refuel and there is a lower speed limit in the pit lane so many cars may come in at once. And when they rejoin, cars may realign themselves into their correct order, so lapped cars won't be in among those who haven't been lapped.
What will be the driver hierarchy this year?
SD: They will be treated on an equal basis. Both want to show themselves to be Ferrari drivers and competitive drivers. But for instance, the T-car will be prepared in an alternate way and it will also be important which driver chooses when he is going to pit first. These are the only two factors which may change during the year.
Are the car's colours official, the same as before?
SD: There are no novelties, although with the agreement of Philip Morris, the colours may be slightly different.
Mario, where will you be during the races, will you delegate to Luca Baldisseri?
MA: I'm going to avoid the overlap that Ross had. My role will be different and I'm going to decide what my presence will be. Preparation is important, so I will be at some Grands Prix and not others. Luca Baldisserri is responsible for decisions at the race track.
What is Ross Brawn's future; might he come back?
MA: The last time I spoke to him he was fishing in Argentina. Our approach is that there's always a role for outstanding people in our team. He will always be considered part of the team, but it's up to him to decide exactly what his role will be. It's a question for Ross, not for me.
Mario, given that you might not go to races, can Todt change your decisions?
MA: In any organisation the boss can change decisions. His is the final decision, he can change the final decision, based on dialogue.