Ferrari have denied that recent comments from Luca di Montezemolo were a threat to leave Formula 1 if their demands aren’t met.
The Italian made the strong comments on Sunday in Mugello, in which he warned that their presence shouldn’t be taken for granted.
“Formula 1 is still our life, but without Ferrari there is no Formula 1, just as without Formula 1, Ferrari would be different,” he said.
“If Formula 1 still wants Ferrari it must change and go back to being at the cutting edge of research, while always keeping an eye on costs. We are not in Formula 1 as sponsors, we are constructors,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, as many interpreted those comments in a threatening manner, the ‘Horse Whisperer’ took the time to set the record straight.
“Montezemolo’s observations were seen by some as a sort of ultimatum or even a threat to leave Formula 1, but the Whisperer can assure you that it was nothing of the kind,” read the column.
“For starters, the words ‘leave’ or ‘ultimatum’ did not even feature in his pronouncement, but what really needs to be stressed is that Montezemolo spoke in a totally constructive fashion, which is usually the case with the President of a company that has always been in Formula 1 and who has the future well being of the greatest form of motorsport so close to his heart.”
