Di Montezemolo Praises Ferrari Team

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo praised his team after Brazilian Rubens Barrichello led a Ferrari one-two in the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday to trigger a homecoming party for the Formula One champions.

Barrichello took the chequered flag just 1.3 seconds ahead of teammate Michael Schumacher, as a red sea of fans rose to applaud a result that had looked almost impossible at the halfway stage. It was Barrichello's first victory since the 2003 season-ending Japanese Grand Prix.

Schumacher clinched an unprecedented seventh drivers' crown in Belgium two weeks ago. Ferrari were parading in front of their home fans with a sixth successive Constructors' Championship also secured. Both drivers threw their caps into the crowd from the podium, as fans lit flares and thronged the track.

It was Barrichello's eighth career win, and Ferrari's 13th in 15 races this year, and it came from pole despite a gamble on tyre choice that looked to have backfired for both Ferrari drivers early in the race.

"So many times over the years, I have found myself saying this was the best race," said di Montezemolo. "Today's was incredible. The drivers were amazing and I am particularly pleased for Barrichello. The team was amazing, and so were the cars and the tyres."

Even at the halfway stage, Barrichello was only fourth while Schumacher - starting on dry tyres - had to carve his way back from the rear after nudging into Jenson Button's BAR and spinning on the first lap.

"After the first few laps, I could never have imagined that we would have finished first and second," added di Montezemolo. "It shows how difficult it is to win in Formula One."