Domincali comments on Alonso rumours and looks ahead to 2009
At yesterday's news conference on the occasion of Wrooom 2009, the Formula 1 and MotoGp Press Ski Meeting in Madonna di Campiglio, Stefano Domenicali spoke about his forecast for the upcoming season and how this year will be a particular one in the history of Formula 1, with major changes as far as the regulations are concerned and that it will be very important to keep the goals in sight in such a fast changing environment.
Domenicali urged everybody to "remain with the feet on the ground, because it will be a very difficult Championship."
"Looking ahead will also be required from our partners, especially from Marlboro, with whom we're sharing a common project."
The teams, the main players in this sport, have to work in the same direction, to transmit a consistent message. "As of the next tests in Portimao, Portugal, we'll start comparing ourselves to the other teams. It will be interesting to see where we are and where our competitors are. I've met a very fresh and motivated Felipe Massa. He matured a lot over the last season. His strong point over these years was, that he always believed in himself. I think he's mentally ready and mature enough to manage the pressure, from inside and outside. Kimi Raikkonen can't wait to get back into the car and he'll have the possibility at Portimao. He wants to show that he's himself again, after President Montezemolo's joke, that it was his twin brother driving by the end of the season."
Kimi has and always had an enormous capacity: knowing how to detach himself. This allows him not to feel any pressure from outside."
The Scuderia's Director added: "Last year we didn't loose a single point due to mismanagement by our drivers: the Team works for both drivers and if we can give them a competitive car - as we hope we do - we won't have any psychological pressure from inside."
"Our President is working on Formula One's future. Without FOTA we would never have reached an agreement as far as cost cutting is concerned. The agreement, signed to save money on the track, is also a necessity for the smaller teams. In such a context, where it's very important to cut costs, it will be necessary to find new possibilities for the released employees inside the structure."
As far as the F60 is concerned, the single-seater, which debuted on 12th January at Mugello, Domenicali said: "We started with a project, which is not an evolution of last year's car. Therefore it will be fundamental to be immediately competitive and to invest in reliability and in simulation, which is very useful, because the results can also be used in the road car production."
Apropos KERS, Domenicali repeated what he already said at the Mugello press conference two days ago at Mugello, that he thinks that this is the wrong moment to start using such a complex system. "I think that this season will be extremely competitive, while our main competitors are McLaren and BMW, and also Renault has done a lot of work."
Will Alonso come to Ferrari for the next season? "I think it's difficult to add anything else to what has been said as far as this issue is concerned. Our drivers have signed contracts, even if President Montezemolo has said 'wait and see'. Fernando is a great driver, but we're extremely happy with the drivers we have."
About Michael Schumacher Domenicali said: "Michael is working as our consultant. He reports to me for F1 and to the GT Technical Direction as far as road cars are concerned. This year he will contribute in terms of engineering and the correct interpretation of the slicks."
