22/12/2014
NEWS STORY
Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne warns that the team faces another difficult season in 2015.
Any Ferrari fans expecting a pre-Christmas boost as the team a break before preparations for 2015 continue, was in for a major disappointment as the Italian outfit hosted a press conference ahead of its Christmas lunch.
While Marchionne refused to even glimpse at the ghost of season past, he admitted that his vision of the season future is looking equally grim.
"2015 will be a difficult year that will put the team to a real test," he told reporters. "We must forget 2014," he added. "I don't want to talk about 2014.
"2015 will be a reconstitution year," he continued. "It will be Maurizio's first full year with the team.
"We started late with the 2015 car, certain choices and strategies that were made by others and that, in retrospect, I don't necessarily share," he added. "So it will be a difficult year, though I think hopefully within the next 12 months we will remove all the baggage of uncertainty that is going to plague at least the initial phase of 2015.
"Not to underestimate the significance or the magnitude of the task, I think Ferrari can probably get to the same place (as Mercedes) by the end of 2015. Some of the work has already started. We need to be able to emulate their success."
Maurizio Arrivabene, the team's third team principal this year, revealed that having passed the mandatory crash tests, the 2015 car is on schedule. However, continuing Marchionne's pessimistic tone he admitted that two wins next season would constitute real success for the Maranello outfit.
"If we win four, we go to heaven," added Marchionne.
Finishing fourth in the Constructors' Championship, 2014 marked the Scuderia's first season without a single win since 1993.
In the wake of the continuing failure, the Maranello outfit has seen a massive overhaul at almost every level, not least the recruitment of Sebastian Vettel to replace Fernando Alonso.
"I bring experience that has matured in my last company," said Arrivabene, "the fact of knowing how to motivate people and to get the best out of them.
"In the company I've seen plenty of will to get things done: I am here to give the people my trust and to streamline the team. We won't get anywhere individually, we have to work as a group."