The former president of Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo, has shared his perspective on the challenges facing the Scuderia, with a particular focus on the performance of drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
At 76 years of age, Montezemolo made these comments during his attendance at the Il Festival dello Sport in Trento, providing insights into Formula 1’s modern landscape and his concerns for the iconic Italian team.
Luca di Montezemolo began by expressing his admiration for the evolution of Formula 1, citing the emergence of a new generation of exceptional drivers.
He stated, “Today’s F1 is beautiful because there is a new generation of fast and talented drivers, as (Oscar) Piastri recently showed, even if at the moment this generation does not include Italian drivers.”
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Montezemolo also conveyed his appreciation for the increasing popularity of Formula 1 in the United States, indicating a positive shift in global interest.
He commended Max Verstappen, recognising him as a driver of the highest caliber.
Montezemolo recalled, “I like (Max) Verstappen, who is a very high-level driver.
“When I saw his final qualifying lap in Monaco this year, I thought ‘I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.'”
Despite his positive views on the sport’s evolution, Montezemolo raised concerns about the current F1 regulations, which he finds to be quite intricate.
He then turned his attention to Ferrari’s present situation, acknowledging his disappointment.
However, he did not lay blame on the shoulders of drivers Sainz and Leclerc.
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“I think the last problem for Ferrari today is the drivers – it is the car,” Montezemolo emphasised, highlighting that the real challenge lies in the performance of the car itself.
He expressed his discontent with a scenario where Ferrari settles for third place and described it as a form of defeat.
Montezemolo yearns to see Ferrari back in its glory days, celebrating genuine victories with a car capable of vying for the championship until the final race—a feat that has eluded the team for several years.