Fiat boss criticises Di Montezemolo’s comments

Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne has criticised Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo for his Monza statement, in which he said he would be the one to decide when he will leave Ferrari.

Rumours had circulated the paddock that the Italian was set to announce his retirement, but he addressed the media on Sunday, making it clear that he planned to see out the remaining three years on his contract at minimum.

He added: “I will be the first – and I emphasise the first [to announce my departure from Ferrari].”

That comment didn’t please Marchionne. The boss of Ferrari’s parent company warned Di Montezemolo that anyone, including himself, is indispensable and the company would decide when he leaves.

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“We are good friends but his statements, these are things I wouldn’t have said myself,” he said. “On volume and economic results Luca has done an outstanding job. I [also] consider myself essential, of course. But I also know very well that I am at the service of this company. So to create positions, illusions that one can operate outside the rules, is talking rubbish.

“It’s the same for him as it is for me; we serve the company. When the company has a change of plan, or if there is no longer a convergence of ideas, things change. Nobody is indispensable.”

Marchionne was also critical of Ferrari’s recent results and called the six year gap without a title unacceptable.

“The heart of Ferrari is winning in F1. I don’t want to see our drivers in 7th and 12th place. To see the Reds in this state, having the best drivers, exceptional facilities, engineers who are really good, to see all that and then to consider that we have not won since 2008.

“The important thing for Ferrari is not just the financial results, but also it is winning and we have been struggling for six years.”