‘Difficult moment’ leaves F1 without an Italian
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| Domenicali laments at the lack of Italians in F1 yet has overlooked bringing up and coming Italian American Alexander Rossi into Ferrari's Young Drivers Academy. A clear case of watch what I do not what I say. |
[Editor's Note: Domenicali talks out of both sides of his mouth. When was the last time Ferrari hired an Italian driver? Why have they overlooked Italian American Alexander Rossi?] Italian Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali has expressed his thoughts about the absence of Italian drivers in Formula 1 for 2012, branding himself 'very sad'.
"I am very sad that, after so many years there will not be an Italian driver in the Formula 1 world championship field," said Domenicali, who began his career as race director at Mugello. "I say this on the sporting front and on a personal level when it comes to Jarno, who only on a few occasions has had a car capable of showing off his talents.
"So here, I wish him all the best for the future, both in racing and away from the track. It's a difficult moment for our sport, partly for external reasons."
"For a few years now, Ferrari through its Driver Academy, has established a long term plan to create a new generation of young drivers, which works also in collaboration with the CSAI and I am pleased to see that just now, we can announce that two talented youngsters, Raffaele and Brandon, will be given a great opportunity to progress in the sport."
Formula 1 will now look to the likes of Mirko Bortolotti and Luca Filippi who is rumored headed to IndyCar.
02/18/12 (GMM) Rubens Barrichello on Saturday said it is "sad" another established formula one veteran, Jarno Trulli, has lost his race seat.
After 19 consecutive seasons, Barrichello is poised to switch to IndyCar in 2012, while Trulli – who made his debut in 1997 and is a Monaco grand prix winner – has lost his seat to Vitaly Petrov.
"Money is dominating everything," said Barrichello, with Caterham even admitting that the "global economic market" influenced the decision to replace Trulli with the well-backed Russian.
And with F1 now not boasting an Italian driver for the first time since the end of the 60s, Trulli lamented that no one is poised to succeed him.
"During a crisis as we have in our country, I can't see how a youngster can find the help needed to be considered by any team," he told the Ansa news agency.
"I knew of the difficult economic situation that would force the (Caterham) team to look for a driver with adequate backing," added the 37-year-old.
Also lamenting the new dearth of Italian drivers, Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali admitted: "It's a difficult moment for our sport, partly for external reasons."
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said former Lotus driver Petrov is bringing a "double digit" sum in the millions to Caterham for Trulli's 2012 seat.