During a press conference held in Bahrain, the president of Ferrari made a point to remind everyone of what one of Formula 1’s historic teams thought about the current regulations.<\/p>\n
Di Montezemolo: \u00ab This is not F1 \u00bb<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00ab At Ferrari, we stated a few months ago that we were against the fuel limitation, that’s not F1. Last Christmas, I stated in front of all the journalists that I was afraid the new regulations would turn drivers into taxi drivers, \u00bb he declared.<\/p>\n
He believes that public protests must be heard: \u00ab We must take into account public comments to consider the future and change something without interfering with today’s regulations. I think when a team dominates like Mercedes, it’s completely normal not to change anything immediately. \u00bb<\/p>\n
For him, the direction taken is not in the interest of the flagship category of motorsport: \u00ab My position has been clear for several months: forcing drivers to save fuel and tires is not F1. We want to increase the passion and success of Formula 1. We cannot have an F1 based on energy and fuel savings. We need to attack from the first to the last lap. \u00bb<\/p>\n
Luca di Montezemolo highlights three points of the regulations that, in his view, are problematic: \u00ab If the engine consumes less fuel, then great, it means you can use less fuel if you want. But that’s a problem. The public doesn’t want a taxi driver who has to conserve fuel, that’s not F1. \u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00ab The second problem is the music of Formula 1, not the noise but the music. The third is that the rules are too complicated, especially for the people working on the circuit. How can they understand the flow meters? It’s really complicated, \u00bb he states.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, according to him, changes must arise from consultation between the different stakeholders: \u00ab So we need a less complicated formula, for now, it’s better not to change anything. But perhaps we can share some good ideas to improve the situation because I don’t even want to consider the possibility of a decline in Formula 1. \u00bb<\/p>\n
Ecclestone: \u00ab Unacceptable for the public \u00bb<\/b><\/p>\n
On Bernie Ecclestone’s side, the approach is also one of change, especially for the public: \u00ab I think we owe it to them, of course. I don’t think things are acceptable for the public right now. People buy tickets to come here or elsewhere expecting to get what Formula 1 used to be. \u00bb<\/p>\n
The opposition is nevertheless fierce, particularly from Mercedes, which clearly dominates this new era but must not suffer from potential modifications: \u00ab Mercedes, I think they will be in favor; they will be the leaders. We can do things without [them losing their advantage]. Mercedes, without a doubt, has done a better job. And they should not be punished for that, we must not change the rules to punish them. \u00bb<\/p>\n
On what needs to be done, Ecclestone recalls the points of discord since the start of the season: \u00ab I think they can do something about the noise, and if they need 10 more kilos of fuel or whatever… I think everyone will agree. \u00bb And shortening the race distances, as Di Montezemolo often advocates? \u00ab No, it’s not necessary. \u00bb<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the president of the FOM believes that the technology does not align with his vision for F1: \u00ab The engines are, without a doubt, incredible. The amount of power they produce compared to the amount of fuel, but I don’t think that’s Formula 1. They should be in touring cars, but not in Formula 1. \u00bb<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The president of Ferrari clearly reiterated the official position of the Italian firm regarding the 2014 regulations. He emphasized that what we are seeing this year is not F1. On his end, Bernie Ecclestone believes that changes must be made without penalizing Mercedes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47,"featured_media":40073,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,1749],"tags":[364,883],"class_list":["post-15780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","category-news","tag-ferrari","tag-di-montezemolo"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n