Luca di Montezemolo says Barcelona could provide springboard Ferrari needs to get into world championship fight

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says a more competitive showing from his team at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix will be the springboard his team needs to get itself firmly into the world championship fight

Luca di Montezemolo says Barcelona could provide springboard Ferrari needs to get into world championship fight

With the Italian outfit set to introduce a major upgrade to its F2012 in Barcelona, and the first components from that package having shown good track correlation at last week's Mugello test, Ferrari is under no illusions about the importance of a lift in performance this time out.

And ahead of a plan for a further series of developments that are planned for the next few races, di Montezemolo feels the shape of the campaign will be defined by how Ferrari performs at Barcelona.

"I've just spent a long while with our technicians, and they are confident, but we need to see what the others have done," di Montezemolo told Rai Sport during a special event at Fiorano on Tuesday to mark the 30th anniversary of Gilles Villeneuve's death.

"What I want is a more competitive car in Spain, and then we can go for it this season. This is what I've asked because we have a nice development program beyond Spain."

Di Montezemolo does not hide from the fact that he was expecting more from Ferrari at the start of the campaign - with the team having spoken all winter about its high hopes for this year's campaign.

"I was left disappointed with the way we started the season, I didn't expect it," he said. "From our technicians and data, I was given the impression of a different situation.

"Having said that, four races have gone by with four different winners, and one of these races was won by us. We are there and now we need to take a step forward with a more competitive car that is less difficult to drive and that gives confidence to the drivers."

Di Montezemolo also suggests that Ferrari's chance of success in F1 is being compromised by the fact that aerodynamics are now so important - which is why the team has been looking at recruiting design staff from elsewhere.

"Formula 1 is in constant evolution and this is why I've told my men that in these last two years we have been a bit too isolated inside Maranello, we need fresh air coming from the outside," he said.

"We are a car manufacturer: for us the mechanical structure, the engine, the gearbox, the chassis, the suspensions are fundamental. These regulations instead wrongly make aerodynamics the fundamental element to win or lose, but that means that we needed to bring more aerodynamic competence and experience.

"We are doing that, and I expect to see an improved Ferrari in Spain with a view to further improve during the season because I want to win."

shares
comments

The moments that defined Gilles

Spain preview quotes: Marussia

What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight

What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay

How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay

The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
GP Racing

The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jonathan Noble

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come

How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem

How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem

Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise

Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Adam Cooper

Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise

Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much

Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much