Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Ferrari says customer car idea would facilitate the development of young Italian drivers

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has re-ignited the customer car debate by claiming it would help facilitate the return of an Italian presence to the Formula 1 grid

Di Montezemolo and Ferrari have been staunch advocates of the idea of third cars, .

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Ferrari president said it would also be an ideal way of promoting an Italian presence on the F1 grid. Australia will represent the first F1 grand prix since the Nurburgring in 1973 at which there will be no Italian entries.

Asked if Ferrari could be interested in promoting Italian drivers, di Montezemolo replied: "It's a long story - let's see what comes out of the Ferrari Driver Academy.

"The real problem is that there's no opportunity for young drivers. Let's say I come up with three super strong Italians coming from minor formulas. What is next?

"I can't have them testing with the F1 car because testing is banned. Make them race with the 458 GT is a different job.

"I have an idea: giving a minor team a Ferrari from the previous year and forcing them to field a young Italian. That would be fantastic..."

Di Montezemolo also advocated an increase in mid-season testing, saying that the discussion extended beyond simply wanting to test and improve this year's F2012 after an underwhelming pre-season.

"Ferrari has a car that needs to be further assessed, discovered and driven," he explained. "Tests are few and public, unfortunately. I'd wait a bit before coming to conclusions with such a long season ahead.

"It's a wider discussion we'll engage at a later stage. I don't like F1 on the decline, with no testing and no technical innovation. It's good to have big attention towards costs, but without sacrificing technology and development. We can't only reduce."

The idea of third cars has not got much support from elsewhere in the paddock however, with McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh affirming his team opposed the idea during a Vodafone phone-in on Monday.

"We don't think customer cars are right for the sport," Whitmarsh said. "It is the different teams and constructors who construct and manufacture their cars that differentiate F1 from other forms of motorsport.

"There are a lot of financial challenges in our sport and it might be that one day it becomes necessary; that for our sport to survive there would be a customer car allowance.

"Forgetting our position for a moment though, philosophically I don't think it's the right thing."

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Jenson Button says blown diffuser ban means less mystery in downforce chase
Next article Formula 1 teams predict 'freaky' start to 2012 season and plenty of surprises

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe