Ferrari still pushing for three-car teams

Di Montezemolo has been strongly critical of the current rules on both topics in recent years. During a dinner with the Italian press yesterday, he said his belief that permitting three-car teams would have been better for Formula 1 than allowing the new teams to join this season had not changed.

"The small teams? Honestly, I feel it would be better to have the opportunity of running a third car rather than seeing cars that would struggle even in GP2," said di Montezemolo. "It's an idea we will put forward again strongly for the future."

He also believes the current ban on in-season testing is unhealthy for the sport.

"Then we must unblock this absurd limitation on testing," he said.

"Formula 1 is the only sport in which there is no chance to train. It is like asking Real Madrid, Milan or Inter to play with smooth-soled boots in the rain or not to warm-up before a Champions League game."

Di Montezemolo was critical of the new generation of circuits too, echoing FIA president Jean Todt's recent suggestion that future new tracks need to prioritise overtaking possibilities.

"On the subject of the new circuits, I have to say it would be better if more thought was given to the races with an increase in overtaking opportunities with less effort going into beautiful architecture," he said.

But he felt that the FIA's recent decision to end the team orders ban showed that the governing body was moving in the right direction under Todt.

"Fortunately, the rule banning team orders has been abolished, which was well and truly a hypocritical rule," said di Montezemolo. "It has always been part of the sport and those who race for Ferrari are perfectly aware of the fact.

"The FIA, under the guidance of Jean Todt, is working well and this decision confirms that trend."