June 15, 2014
Here is Fernando Alonso driving a Ferrari at LeMans.
Before waving the French flag at the start of this year's 24 Hour of Le Mans, Fernando Alonso got a chance to drive a long tail Ferrari 512S around la Sarthe.
It was the first time an official Ferrari driver stepped into a red prototype car at Le Mans since 1973 and comes amid a flurry of rumors and official "non-denials denials" from Maranello about a possible future return to the French classic.
What is certain is Luca di Montezemolo's call for a summit to discuss a complete rethink of future of Formula 1, it will be interesting to see how other teams react:
"Maranello, 15 June – Ferrari has had Formula 1 coursing through its veins for over half a century and that’s why it has decided to make a move to turn the sport away from the wrong turn it appears to have taken.
The Maranello marque has decided to do this through the means of a formal act, which is a concrete proposal, in the form of a letter from its President Luca di Montezemolo to the Formula 1 rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone and to Donald McKenzie, the president of the company that owns Formula 1. It is not an ultimatum, nor a threat, but a proposal to call together all the key players in the sport to sit down around a table and come up with new ideas that will see Formula 1 continue to set the benchmark in motorsport, on level terms with global events such as the Olympics and the football World Cup.
The President wants to see a collective brainstorming from the group to act for the good of Formula 1. Contributions from all areas are of value; teams, sponsors, promoters and media, so that the key values of Formula 1 can be reestablished. President Montezemolo would also like to see other high-end players invited, those who are currently not involved or only partially so; new media, social networks and colossi such as Google and Apple.
Formula 1 has to be based on technical innovation, research and development, but this must all be done with sustainable costs and above all, must be moved forward as part of a product that can put on a show. Because it is the show that draws in the commercial partners, the sponsors and, above all, the fans, who are the real end users of the Formula 1 product.
Finding the right mix of these ingredients will be vital for the sustainability and the future success of our much-loved sport."
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F1 has put on some great shows this season. I even like the sound of the new hybrid power units. What are the "key values" of F1 that Ferrari wants to see brought back, aside from their dominance of the early 2000's? Ferrari simply hasn't produced a competitive product. End of story.
ReplyDeleteHe should race at Goodwood with cars like this :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, there is definitively a risk of being seen like that. But the bigger issue here is the engine freeze, Renault and Ferrari, having gotten it somewhat wrong compared to Mercedes cannot wait 5 years to try a different angle. Why should they waste hundreds of millions of a bad basic concept? Plus, remember the show was good in Canada only because the Mercedes had technical issues.
ReplyDeleteTo me, Fernando looks a little glum. He looks a little flummoxed by the whole deal. Downtrodden not only because Spain took a colossal shellacking in the World Cup earlier in the week, but also because his tenure at Ferrari has been a complete bust. Like those "Sad Keanu" figurines, F1 should start selling "Sad Fernando" figurines.
ReplyDelete