Montezemolo Blames Rules for Poor Crowd
Formula One's current regulations are to blame for the dismal attendance at the Italian Grand Prix, according to Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo
An estimated 60,000 people attended the Grand Prix on Sunday, with the total number of people visiting Monza during the weekend not reaching 100,000, a considerable drop from last year.
Di Montezemolo said the tickets prices, as well as Ferrari's poor form, were among the reasons for the poor figures. The Italian, however, criticised the regulations and said they are the main reason why the tifosi did not attend Ferrari's home race.
"It's down to the absurd regulations, to the price of the tickets, and to the fact that Ferrari isn't here to win has it has been since 1996," di Montezemolo said. "F1 is extreme technology: one should be able to change tyres every lap, if he wanted to, in order to obtain maximum competitiveness.
"When we won a GP with four tyre changes we did something technically and sportively exceptional. I don't like a dumbed down F1, with taxi drivers on worn out tyres. I'm against this version of F1. Ferrari won like no one else and accepted that regulations got changed every season.
"This year Ferrari didn't win; let's hope it's the occasion to look again at the regulations. I spoke about it to Mosley and Ecclestone. To cut costs is useful, but so is giving back to F1 overtaking, extreme technological research, exciting qualifying and spectators."
Ferrari failed to scored on Sunday, with Michael Schumacher finishing down in 10th place and Rubens Barrichello in 12th.
Previous article
Pizzonia: I Need Another Chance Soon
Next article
Schumacher: Give Me a Winning Ferrari
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Author | Michele Lostia |
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Why Russell was right to be wrong about Bottas after Imola F1 clash
George Russell and Valtteri Bottas' collision at Imola on Sunday prompted fury in the Formula 1 paddock. But Russell's carefully-worded heartfelt statement later, acknowledging that his initial response was wrong, proved the right move
How Verstappen and Hamilton’s Imola clash sets the tone for F1’s 2021 title fight
In Max Verstappen's Formula 1 career to date, he has been cast as the 'pretender', an acknowledged top-line performer without the car to regularly challenge Lewis Hamilton. But that no longer applies in 2021, and the start to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was the most telling signal yet of what we can expect from their duel this year
How “overwhelming” McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve
Daniel Ricciardo has found a new lease of life at McLaren – a move that’s been years in the making, as he explains to STUART CODLING…
The German legend who raced and beat Nuvolari
Ninety years ago, Rudolf Caracciola became the first non-Italian to win the epic Mille Miglia. We look at how he stacks up to the most famous pre-war ace Tazio Nuvolari, one of the drivers he beat on that day in 1931
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
