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F1: Montezemolo - What Comes After Ecclestone Era?
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says it is time for F1 to plan for life after Bernie Ecclestone...
Bernie Ecclestone's days as Formula One's chief executive are numbered. (Photo: Getty Images)
Luca di Montezemolo has defended Ferrari’s actions regarding the Sebastian Vettel/Jean-Eric Vergne flag incident – and taken the opportunity to tease Bernie Ecclestone.
When the Vettel/Vergne flag incident hit the headlines, Montezemolo made reference to Ecclestone’s age – and Bernie in turn pointed out that he had once dealt with an 88-year-old Enzo Ferrari. Montezemolo struck back today.
“Every so often, Bernie likes to play the boss and gets involved in matters that don’t concern him – godfathers no longer exist, at least not in Formula One,” said Montezemolo at a media event.
“Interpretation of flags, be they yellow or blue, is nothing to do with him, and he used expressions that I do not accept. Our behavior in this instance was not only transparent, but perfect, and maybe he would do better to think about attracting bigger crowds and more youngsters, and to discuss more with the television stations and the media.”
He also made it clear that it is time for F1 to plan for life after Ecclestone.
“We are approaching a time when we need to think about the future, because all eras must inevitably come to an end, as happened to us when Todt, Brawn and Schumacher left,” Montezemolo said. “It’s not a case of replacing Bernie, and, in fact, I do not like doing to others what I would not want to happen to myself.
“It’s a question that needs to be tackled with the current owners of this sport, CVC, which, let us not forget, is an investment company looking for a financial return on what it has invested in Formula One. The era of the one man show cannot continue – the future should be in the hands of a team that will look after all the different areas.
“We are slowly approaching the end of a period characterized by the style of one man who has done significant things. It’s a bit of a similar case to what will happen to me: within the decade I will face this question, but when I am 75, not 82.”
Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.
When the Vettel/Vergne flag incident hit the headlines, Montezemolo made reference to Ecclestone’s age – and Bernie in turn pointed out that he had once dealt with an 88-year-old Enzo Ferrari. Montezemolo struck back today.
“Every so often, Bernie likes to play the boss and gets involved in matters that don’t concern him – godfathers no longer exist, at least not in Formula One,” said Montezemolo at a media event.
“Interpretation of flags, be they yellow or blue, is nothing to do with him, and he used expressions that I do not accept. Our behavior in this instance was not only transparent, but perfect, and maybe he would do better to think about attracting bigger crowds and more youngsters, and to discuss more with the television stations and the media.”
He also made it clear that it is time for F1 to plan for life after Ecclestone.
“We are approaching a time when we need to think about the future, because all eras must inevitably come to an end, as happened to us when Todt, Brawn and Schumacher left,” Montezemolo said. “It’s not a case of replacing Bernie, and, in fact, I do not like doing to others what I would not want to happen to myself.
“It’s a question that needs to be tackled with the current owners of this sport, CVC, which, let us not forget, is an investment company looking for a financial return on what it has invested in Formula One. The era of the one man show cannot continue – the future should be in the hands of a team that will look after all the different areas.
“We are slowly approaching the end of a period characterized by the style of one man who has done significant things. It’s a bit of a similar case to what will happen to me: within the decade I will face this question, but when I am 75, not 82.”
Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.
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