Montezemolo, unhappy with Ferrari’s performance, understands Alonso’s frustrations

During his visit this Friday on the first day of the Spanish Grand Prix of Formula 1, Luca di Montezemolo, president of Ferrari, addressed several points, starting with the performance level of the Ferrari F14-T compared to the competition. He also reaffirmed his full confidence in Marco Mattiacci and in the fact that Ferrari would be capable of providing a car matching Fernando Alonso’s level.

Ferrari, an insufficient level

Montezemolo’s presence at Montmelo was not merely a courtesy visit, and the president of the Scuderia came to express his feelings about the start of the season for his protégés: « It is clear that I am not happy with the level of Ferrari. Not at all. I did not expect such a non-competitive team compared to my expectations at the start of the season. »

He nevertheless believes that Maranello has the capacity to recover: « I am sure that Ferrari has all the abilities, and all the opportunities, to come back. » In this regard, he will be more involved on the field: « For me, it is also important to be closer to the team than in the past, to better understand. »

« I am sure that Mattiacci will do a good job, even if he has just arrived, » he stated, before softening: « But I don’t believe in the performance of a single man, I believe in a strong group and we are working very well at the moment to try to improve the situation. »

For him, the notable developments will begin after Monaco: « I hope for an improvement in the car in Canada, but I know, from the meetings I’ve had in recent days, that without making a revolution it’s important to advance the organization and improve the relationship with suppliers. We want to be a team of fighters with determination, without panic. »

Mattiacci, no other alternative

In the context of the Ross Brawn rumor – who visited Maranello last week as part of the preparation for the famous Mille Miglia – Luca di Montezemolo recalls the chronology of Marco Mattiacci’s arrival: « The situation is that I only spoke to Stefano Domenicali on Monday [after Bahrain] who said he wanted to resign, and I said: Listen, wait three more days because it’s better to think it over. On Thursday, he told me: No, I’m sorry, I think it’s a good decision. »

He does not forget to acknowledge his former director: « Stefano is a fantastic person, very loyal, very professional, and very good. But, unfortunately in sports, as in life, results are important and he made a very responsible decision. »

Once his departure was confirmed, the head of Ferrari focused on the replacement: « Immediately, I looked within the company. We are not just a team, we are a company, and within we have very good people. And I think that Marco, with his characteristics and what he has achieved in Tokyo, China, and America, has the capabilities to manage people. There was no other alternative. »

« To be honest, I made the decision, and I didn’t even have time to think about someone else because I didn’t want to leave a seat empty. And 99% of the time, I’m happy when I can help someone grow within the company, so there were no other alternatives, » he explains for Autosport.

Provide a competitive car for Alonso

Another rumor is Fernando Alonso moving to Mercedes. Again, Montezemolo claims he is not concerned: « I have had many drivers at Ferrari and for me, it’s not a problem with the drivers, it’s a problem with the team. I am not happy for the team. I am not happy because we want to win. I am not happy because we have missed opportunities in recent years and that’s why we need to push together, starting with Fernando. »

The Italian continued, quoted by Crash.net: “I am sure that when Ferrari is happy and has a competitive car, then he will be very happy because he gives 100% – sometimes more – to the team. I share his frustrations sometimes and I am sorry because at least one of the two championships could have been won for him.”

To keep the Spaniard in the Reds’ fold, the solution is simple: give him the tools to win. « For me, the problem is having a competitive team and not following the drivers’ issues, even though I completely agree with him that a driver like him needs a competitive car. So, that’s our main objective: to put him in conditions to have a competitive car, for him and for the team. »