Domenicali reflects on the terrible events of 2007…

The new sporting director of Ferrari, Stefano Domenicali, states that his team will not waste their efforts unnecessarily this year as they did last year in the espionage case. The goal is to start the 2008 campaign with a victory in Australia this weekend.

Although the judicial investigation continues in Italy, Domenicali firmly believes that his team must move forward and that the focus should only be on what happens on the track.

« We must focus on the races, » he stated in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

Nonetheless, Domenicali has his own opinions on what happened last year. Asked about former Ferrari mechanic Nigel Stepney and McLaren’s chief designer Mike Coughlan, Domenicali stated: « Two people who took themselves too seriously. »

« What happened is a betrayal. Regardless, we have strengthened our security at that level. »

He hopes that with the F2008, Ferrari will be able to maintain the momentum that led it last year to secure two titles, but he asserts that the definitive proof can only come in Australia…

The car seems good but we need to see it perform on the track to confirm, that is, to ensure that the F2008 is in direct competition with the other single-seaters.

« Last year’s car had a number of weaknesses such as the mechanics with a zigzag grip in the chicanes. This has since been corrected during the design of the F2008 by focusing on aerodynamics as usual, » continued Domenicali.

Finally, the latter is satisfied with Kimi Räikkönen, who has managed to build a genuine relationship with the team over the past 12 months.

« He has his own way of communicating verbally and technically. He knows how to concentrate at the right moment. We don’t expect a hug from him because it’s simply not his style, and we’ve learned that. »