Luca di Montezemolo is confident for 2012
Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari's boss, is convinced that his team is doing what it takes at the moment to have a successful 2012 season unlike 2011.
The Scuderia Ferrari has only one goal for 2012, to return to success, and to achieve this, the Italian team started designing its single-seater very early, even testing some parts intended for 2012 during the last races of the 2011 season.
Luca di Montezemolo expressed his delight with the efforts made so far and believes that the Maranello team can once again play a leading role in Formula 1 in 2012.
« I want to be optimistic because I can see the concentration and attention to detail that characterize the efforts made by Domenicali and his men, by Fry, Marmorini, Lanzone, and Tombazis. Everyone is working in the areas where we need to improve: the design of the new car, simulation work, preparation for pit stops, starts, and the rest, » di Montezemolo stated during Ferrari’s Christmas event.
The objective of this new F1 season is to make people forget the setbacks of 2011, and he hopes that each team member will continue to give their all to achieve this goal.
We cannot be happy with the way the year has unfolded, and there is a strong desire to make amends because the results do not come by themselves, they do not happen by magic: it will require great efforts from each of you, it will come from the ability to be perfect, to start in pole position.
Beyond designing a good single-seater, the Ferrari boss knows that his drivers must also be competitive to be at the forefront. Despite Massa’s somewhat inconsistent season, the Brazilian has his boss’s full confidence, although he will have to prove his worth in 2012 or risk not having his contract extended.
«All the ingredients are in place to start winning again. Great things are also expected from our drivers for next season. Felipe knows that next year is very important for him, but it’s up to us to provide him with a competitive car. If we succeed, then I’m certain we’ll rediscover the Felipe who achieves good results and who can be faster than Michael (Schumacher) and Kimi (Räikkönen).»
Regarding Fernando Alonso, di Montezemolo is full of praise because the Spanish driver managed to secure a symbolic victory in 2011 at Silverstone for the 60th anniversary of Ferrari’s first F1 victory.
Fernando also had an incredible season; even though he did not have a competitive car, he made us all happy at Silverstone with an iconic victory because it was on this same circuit and the same month that 60 years ago, Ferrari achieved its first victory in Formula 1.
Luca di Montezemolo is happy with his drivers because they fit perfectly into the team and participate in daily life with all the other members.
«What I love about our drivers is their ability to work with the team: I knew Felipe could do it and it was a nice surprise to see Fernando doing the same. I don’t like drivers who come to races with their suitcases and don’t share the team’s life: they are not Ferrari people.
In 2012, Ferrari hopes to be able to beat Red Bull and McLaren in particular, and to achieve this, the team knows that it must focus on working and designing a good car rather than relying on the misfortunes of its rivals.
My job is to provide you with the best conditions so that you can do yours: I expect significant effort from you and a strong desire to do well. Victory depends on us, not on others, di Montezemolo concluded.
