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Ferrari‘s Chairman Luca di Montezemolo has denied reports that suggest Ferrari’s current Team Principal Stefano Domenicali will be sacked.
Ferrari, who have been on a hiring spree after hiring Kimi Raikkonen, James Allison and Dirk De Beer from Lotus, are making major changes in order to fight for Championship again. This comes at the right time after their star driver Fernando Alonso and President Montezemolo are waiting for a better car.
When asked by Gazzetta dello sport if Domenicali will be replaced, Montezemolo said: ” Never, he would be missed. He was the first to advocate the choice of Kimi. He has worked well, preparing for the future and now I expect to see results in the present. But, over the past three years, we have lost two world titles at the last race and it was not his fault.”
“I’ve been around a long time, from the point eleven years on from Surtees’ title. Then as president, with Schumacher and the Todt-Brawn- Byrne triumvirate, we created a golden era and now the team is ready to start winning again. The void since the Schumacher era was caused by delays on the simulation front and with the aerodynamics. However, in all but three years, Ferrari has always been in the title fight right to the last race.” he added.
When asked about the recent new faces that were added to the team’s technical panel, he said: “I am counting a lot on James Allison. With him came the head of aerodynamics from Lotus (Dirk de Beer) and other new faces. Finally, we will have the creativity we were lacking. Allison knows the team and the men and he speaks Italian. Others wanted him, but he preferred us and his arrival will also bring a change in working methods in many areas. Pat Fry will concentrate on improving our on-track operations, our methodology and the simulator.”
On Ferrari’s championship hopes this year, the Italian said: “I would not talk about percentages, but I would bet on Ferrari in order to win a lot of money, given that we are apparently outsiders.”
Montezemolo has high hopes for 2014 and beyond. He remains optimistic in saying: “Looking to 2014, I would say however that we can no longer afford to be the contender beaten in a photo-finish. I can’t wait to be winning again. The time is now, believe me…”
