11/01/2012
NEWS STORY
Looks aren't everything insists Ferrari President, Luca di Montezemolo, who wants a winning car in 2012.
On the back of season in which it managed only one win, finishing a distant third in the Constructors' Championship, Ferrari is looking for a major step forward this year. Indeed, considering the money and resources the Italian company pours into its F1 team, surely only the title will suffice.
Speaking at his team's annual media event in Madonna di Campiglio, and mindful of Stefano Domenicali's earlier comment that the 2012 challenger isn't pretty, but will hopefully be a winner, Montezemolo shared his thoughts.
"We will launch the new car in Maranello and my hope and that of all our fans is to have a car that is competitive right from the start," he told reporters. "It will be an interesting championship, with so many world champions taking part. Our two guys, Felipe and Fernando seem in great form and everyone else is working flat out on every detail.
"Domenicali said the car would not be pretty," he continued. "I'd like it to look lousy: I say that provocatively because I want it to be a winner, reliable but also "simpatico" in the sense that it knows how to win with a smile!"
When asked, considering the economic situation his country is facing, Ferrari has a duty to raise spirits, the response was adamant. "Absolutely," he said. "Each one of us, whatever our job, must contribute to upholding the name of our country around the world. We are putting in a lot of effort on the preparation of the car and so too are the drivers: we are confident and have high hopes."
Of his drivers, he added: "I have told Felipe to prepare well, both mentally and physically and I hope he finds a car that is better adapted to his driving style, maybe with the softer tyres.
"Fernando? I believe he is the one to ask if this car will be quick or not. Because the fact he is quick is a certainty and maybe the question will be asked of him in Jerez after he has done the first kilometres at the wheel of the car to see what it's like.
"The title?" he continued. "We came very close in 2010, a long way off in 2011 and we want to win it in 2012. That's easy to say, but harder to do, but we have an extraordinary sense of determination to get it done."