Interview: di Montezemolo Hits Back at Critics

In a further attempt to minimize damages, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo appeared this evening on Italy's television, to respond to the team's critics, also shrugging off the FIA's investigation of yesterday's affair, while saying he believes his team acted within the spirit and heritage of the sport.

"I think that the investigation by the FIA will be about the formal aspects of the podium procedure, not race tactics," di Montezemolo said. "I have respect for the role of the Federation who, after hearing so many comments, will rightly want to listen to the team regarding the podium issue. As far as race tactics are concerned, the Federation has always looked at serious cases, when there were agreements between teams. Not when it's an honest, clean matter."

The company's president also revealed for the first time that the decision was made solely by the team's sporting director Jean Todt, and not by himself as some suspected. However, di Montezemolo defied any criticism, stating the team had done nothing wrong and accusing their rivals of hypocracy.

"I would have been extremely happy to see Barrichello win, but I agree with the decision taken by Todt," di Montezemolo said. "We are here in the interest of the team and of the company. It is necessary to be able to play for the team. I am sorry for the emotional fans who are not yet convinced - but they will be so tomorrow - and also for some who seem to have fake moralism. I think true tifosi can appreciate a decision that is taken for the benefit of the Prancing Horse.

"[Barrichello] was a real man and told me 'I'm the one who won the race.' 'Of course,' I replied, 'it was just a photo-finish failure.' Barrichello proved to be the best the entire weekend: he won the race, but has only taken six points from it. But to the eyes of the world he is the winner. What I'm interested in is a victory by Ferrari, and that was another fantastic one-two.

"Besides the great showing by our team, I also see what's going on outside Ferrari, at the other teams, [because some of them who were critical of us yesterday] should be the last ones to pass judgement on Ferrari. And I see teams, even important ones, who are experiencing great difficulties. This morning I've heard lessons in morals which I thought were a bit excessive. I haven't reached my 53 years of age to reply to such nonsense. Some people should watch what's happening around them, rather than make judgements on us. We are hearing lessons in sportmanship from people who in the past managed teams that got into strange agreements with others."

When his interviewer mentions that Renault's team chief Flavio Briatore was among those who vocally criticised Ferrari, di Montezemolo said: "To reply to Briatore would be too much, there's a limit to everything in life."

The Italian further emphasised the reasons for the decision to request Barrichello to move aside, allowing Michael Schumacher to grab an unpopular win and four extra World Championship points - which brought the German's gap at the top of the standings to 27.

"In 2000, after the Canadian GP, we were 24 points ahead of Hakkinen, but in Budapest he got above us in the standings. We lost three World Championships at the last race, something I wouldn't wish my worst enemy. This is something that would have killed anyone. Instead the team remained together. And never would I want to lose the Championship by two-three-four points.

"I've read that Enzo Ferrari would never have done this; relax, relax... As long as I'm the president there will always be team spirit, solidarity, respect for each other and attention to human relationships. Never has a group been together for so long. Moreover, we are here to satisfy the interests of the team, like in every team sport. Just like there's a footballer that shoots the penalty or a cyclist that starts to sprint. And also, there is reciprocity.

"Since we started using [The new car], it has always won and been on pole. And besides the car, yesterday the team was perfect with the strategy, profiting of the correct moments for pitstops, with good timing. To be able to see Ferrari with such a big advantage over our rivals gives me great satisfaction."