Ferrari rules out major changes to team for 2011

Fernando Alonso does donuts for the fans

Today, Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit hosted the last day of the Ferrari World Finals, the special event, which for the past eighteen years has given fans from all over the world the opportunity to see gathered together those involved in all Ferrari’s racing and sporting activities.

A very relaxed Fernando Alonso greeted the crowd and the press at the “Ricardo Tormo" circuit at Cheste, on the outskirts of Valencia. Asked if he was disappointed with the team after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he replied, “I am proud of what the Scuderia managed to achieve this season. In a year when we did not have the best car, we managed to get to the last race still in with a great chance of winning the title after staging a really strong recovery.

"In a race like that last one, anything could happen, as this is a sport, not pure maths. The comeback we mounted from the mid-point of the season onwards, the way in which we all pulled together, more united than ever, is much more important. There were races where we lost points, just as there were some where the others lost more, otherwise they would have won much earlier.

“So much has been said about Abu Dhabi, but it’s easy to talk with hindsight," continued Fernando. “But I think that at Red Bull they would have made other choices after Korea for example. The team was very disappointed with the missed opportunity but Ferrari’s great strength is that does not sink into depression because of one mistake, on the contrary, it reacts to be even more determined the following year.

“Personally, I really want to start again," concluded the Spaniard. “I expect again that four teams – us, Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull – will be in the fight for the top. My first year at Ferrari was very nice and brought much satisfaction. If you think that at the beginning, I didn’t even know the name of all the mechanics, then the start of next season should definitely be more straightforward. We are proud of what we have done and, at the same time, aware we have to improve."

Luca di Montezemolo still cheers about 2010 season

“Even if there is much to be sad about when you come within a centimeter of taking the title and then lose it, this has still been an amazing season." The Ferrari President, Luca di Montezemolo is in no doubt that, despite the bitter ending in Abu Dhabi, the 2010 season was still a positive one for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro.

“Having been in Formula 1 for such a long time, this was certainly not the first time I have lost a world championship at the final race," said Montezemolo to a group of journalists, when looking back at the way the season ended. “I was in Watkins Glen in 1974 when Clay Regazzoni was fighting it out with Emerson Fittipaldi, then I was in Jerez in 1997 and Suzuka the following year, when it was Schumacher who saw the title slip away at the last.

"The hardest one to take was in 2008: when Felipe crossed the line he was champion, but then he lost the title the moment Hamilton passed Glock. The important point however is that, from 1997 to the present, with a handful of exceptions, Ferrari has always been a contender: after that it’s a case of winning or losing which is part of sport, beautiful and terrible at the same time. I am pleased to see the team is angry with the outcome rather than disappointed or depressed. There is a great will to fight back and be ready for next season, when our aim is to have a car that, right from the start, is capable of winning so that we don’t have to play catch-up.

“For 2011 there will be various technical changes, from the return of KERS to the arrival of Pirelli tires and an adjustable rear wing," continued Montezemolo. “We are starting from a solid base; I’m thinking here of the fact that at the end of last year, our energy recovery system was very competitive. As for the rear wing, I hope we start the season with total clarity as regards the regulations. I am not worried about it, but our experience of 2009 still grates.

“Ferrari is on the threshold of an important year after a very positive 2010, both on the sporting front, not forgetting the GT races and on the business and production side," concluded Montezemolo.

“We are finalizing the details for our first showroom in India, we are strengthening our position in China and the United States. In Formula 1 terms, we have very clear targets. Right from Sunday night in Abu Dhabi I immediately tried to console our guys who were crying in the garage, spurring them to immediately look to the future. That is the strength of Ferrari, in that we never give up.

Changes within the team? That is not our philosophy, because for years now we have adopted a policy based on dynamic stability: a few minor adjustments are possible, but no major upheaval. And after all, it has to be said that if we had not got it wrong with that “penalty kick" in Abu Dhabi, today the discussion would be completely different. Alonso was amazing, both on and off the track: determined and full of self-belief, a real driving force. I expect a lot from Felipe next year: I am sure he will return to being the man we saw in 2008. I am very happy with the work with which Stefano Domenicali is moving us forward, with great ability, spirit and a sense of balance. I am happy to be at such an event as this, alongside Ferrari fans from all over the world: no other car company could do something like this."