During a nice Christmas dinner of pasta and pork at the Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello attended by big boss Don Luca, the iconic Italian car maker revealed the first details of its new 1.6 liter turbocharged Formula 1 engine that will power their F1 cars next year. Luca di Montezemolo also used this opportunity to outline the firm’s strategy and comment on a few niggling issues.
The 2014 Ferrari Formula 1 engine details are showcased beautifully in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgtU6VykSwA
As for the important tidbits from Montezemolo’s lecture, well let’s hand over to the big man:
On the new car and engine: “There will be a lot of changes, some strongly supported by us, such as the return, albeit partial at the moment, of testing. The design of the new powertrain was very demanding, but it’s really fascinating. It is vital that the factors that make the difference are rebalanced: it’s impossible for Formula 1 to keep going with aerodynamics counting for 90% of the story. Next year, reliability and the ability of the drivers to manage the race in a very different way to the past will be vital.”
On the next season: “I think races will be even harder to follow compared to what they have been in the past. It concerns me that one could see in some parts of the race, that the drivers will seem more like taxi drivers than racers, with all due respect to that role. What happens on track will have to be well explained if we are not to run the risk of seeing the number of spectators decrease still further, both in the grandstands and in front of the television. Is all this a good thing for Formula 1? I don’t know. We will see how it goes, however it’s important to have some fresh air.”
On double points for the final race: “I can’t say I like this idea very much as it seems rather artificial and not very sporting. I think the time has come to all sit around the table with the other teams to discuss the overall approach to Formula 1 and, with that in mind, I want to organise a meeting in the second half of January, here in Maranello. I want to talk constructively, without discussing anything to do with competitiveness but putting forward proposals in a transparent manner, without any under the table agreements. There should be more dialogue between the teams when it comes to discussing the problems affecting Formula 1.”
On F1 and FIA management: “I expect, now that he is well versed in how the Federation functions, in his second term, Todt will push for its modernization, as there is a need for innovation, even in this sector,” said Montezemolo. “I speak with Bernie Ecclestone often: as long as he’s there, there will always be a certain type of management but when, sooner or later, his time will come to an end, then the structure will also change. There will no longer be a number one, but more of a structure with someone at the top filling the role similar to that of a company managing director. It’s true we now have a commitment to the end of 2020, but we are already on the eve of 2014, so there is not that much time left…”
