I defintely agree with him on this one: (from Autosport) Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says it is 'humiliating' for Formula One that the safety car is needed to spice up the show. And despite the widespread praise the Singapore Grand Prix received, the Italian was also critical of the Asian street circuit, which hosted Formula One's first night race. "Unfortunately when we race on tracks where staging a circus or something else would be better, anything can happen, because the spectacle is supplied by the Safety Car," di Montezemolo was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "This is humiliating for F1. "I want to talk about this with all the other teams in the upcoming weeks." Di Montezemolo had already said ahead of the race weekend that he believed street circuits such as Singapore or Valencia were bad for the sport. "I have the impression it will be another one of those letdowns where you cannot overtake, like Valencia," he said last week. "Going forward with these circuits heralds a bad future for Formula One." Sunday's race, which has been pretty much uneventful until then, was turned upside down thanks to a safety car period that helped Renault driver Fernando Alonso become the seventh different winner this season against all odds. The race was a disaster for Ferrari, who failed to score any points for the first time since 2006. The team also lost the lead in the constructors' championship while Felipe Massa dropped seven points behind Lewis Hamilton. Di Montezemolo says, however, that he is convinced Ferrari can bounce back. "It was a bitter day, but there are three races yet and I have faith in all Ferrari's men, who have always demonstrated they're able to fight to the last metre in every circumstance," di Montezemolo added. "We saw that last year in the final race in Brazil. "The car is the best, Massa is the best, and I expect Raikkonen to show in these last three races to be the world champion. "Ferrari went through times much more difficult than this. We saw throughout the weekend that our car was the best and that Massa did an extraordinary qualifying, demonstrating to be be the driver in the best shape. "I expect Massa and Raikkonen to always finish first and second in the three remaining races. In any case, ahead of McLaren." Di Montezemolo also said it was "obvious" that Kimi Raikkonen would have to play a supporting role to Massa now. "That's obvious, every driver knows he races for the team," he added. "We have extraordinary mechanics who may make mistakes once in a while. Obviously the one that did is the most displeased one now, but he deserves us to stay close to him just like to everyone else, because at other times they turned the result around. "We are the world champions, we are still able to win. Let's see if we don't do it with these exceptional people. You'll see a great reaction at the next race already." ***** Carol
I may agree with his opinion of street circuits, but his timing could not have been more spot-off. It comes off as nothing more than whining and sour grapes following the team's poor results. Complaining about the track only ignores the obvious, which is Ferrari have a lot to think about and focus on if they're going to get serious for the last three races.
Spot on! I can imagine the howls of derision there would have been here if Ron Dennis had said what LdM did.
+1 except I don't agree with his opinion on the Singapore circuit. I was there, walked the track for 3 laps, was involved with the support races and my opinion is that the track was simply fantastic. Only fair complaint is that it was a bit bumpy and the curbs were evil
I would agree with you if he would have complained about this street circuit after the race only but he predicted it would be another boring race spiced up by SCs and pitlane comedy and he was right. He also did not try to turn the attention away from Ferrari's abismal performance and he tried to keep up the spirit for the remaining races.
ABSOLUTELY! I agree with Luca, I think street circuits suck... I even think Monaco sucks as something to view, but it's all glitz so it will never get dropped. But I think if Ferrari had a great wekeend in Singapore, and McLaren was the one that got stiffed, we wouldn't hear this speech from Luca, and if Ron Dennis had come out with it, there would be metric tons of venom spat his way for being a "sore loser" and how he is a cry baby, etc. In short, Luca has a point... but too bad it has to be HIS team to get the short end of the stick before he makes it as vocally as he just has. No doubt he will also be on the phone to Max asking why his favor has run out, in light of Massa getting a penalty for coming out of the pits into another car
+1 and the drivers had no illusions about passing in Singapore or Valencia. Money in the BANK for Bernie so its all good of course Another reason a break away series ala F1 would be nice and be rid of the circuits that are just a parade and paddock party for the those who can afford to not be in the stands. I would hope LDM would ask the 2 new parade circuits to be redesigned somewhat to allow for .....well....a bit of racing
Yes you are right. I hadnt remembered that. Even so a new series might just be the ticket but the current world financial puzzle doesnt bode well for any new initiatives. Im sure Bernie sleeps quite well right now
At the end of the day it comes down to dollars and cents. They'd have a race in podunk Idaho if there was enough money involved. Singapore - while akin to Monaco, Valencia, and Long Beach - in terms of "racing" are not ideal BUT they do provide other attributes that are equally important to the sport. It's a compromise. Some circuits will be about the race and others will be about the show. I think the variety is healthy for the sport. The issue of "passing" is an issue regardless of the venue. In some venues it's more prevalent but as a whole it's still not widespread enough to call it "exciting." Contrary to Luca's comments about the safety car - I have to disagree. Thank God for the SC, refueling, tire changing, etc. otherwise we'd be watching a train circulate the track for 50+ laps!
I tend to agree, but it's the show bit that worry's me, main problems IMO, lack of consistant rules, stupid rules, inconsistant penalitys, lack of passing, too many tracks that do not allow for overtaking, and Max Mosely, and these can be tied into the making of the show, so variety of this nature, I hope it turns folks off. When you look at some of the best racing this season, it has either been the rain or SC that has created it.
I agree with your comments regarding the rules. That is a MAJOR issue IMO. Nothing else will hurt the sport more than favoritism or inconsistent rules/penalties. I hope they clear those issues up before the '09 season! As for Max .... ugh!
Its like watching one of the reality TV shows where nothing makes sense. Change for the sake of change to create artificial interest. "Bet you weren't expecting that ! Wait till next weeks show".
BTW: A clever team could manipulate the results on a track like this. #1 driver;Soft tires and light fuel load in qualifying to go 1/3 the distance which will boost grid position. Then pits, full fuel load, change to prime tires, back on track. #2 stuffs it into the wall. Safety car comes out and everyone is caught with their pants around their ankles except... Oh my gosh ! our beloved team-mate. Just speculating of course.
The thing that worries me is the direction that F1 has been going. The complaint is a lack of passing, so the take away the mechanical grip (no more slicks and reduce the track on the cars) and then they allow the engineers to hang evey kind of appendage on the cars to increase the dependence on aerodynamics. All of that made getting close to another car impossible. Now Bernie is on the kick to have races in large metro areas which means street circuits and more races where you can't pass. Regardless of whose side you are on, the last laps at Spa were the best in years, and we won't be seeing any of that on a street circuit. Race tracks were built in the country for a reason, you could put all kinds of turns to challenge the drivers and get good racing. Remember the comments at the start of the broadcast where they talked about it taking eight minutes to get a stalled car off of the track. That is totally unacceptable, but what we will have to put up with if Bernie goes ahead with his plans of more street races.
LdM seems like the parent who's spoiled kid can do no wrong yet can't see it. The team has not had it all together this year yet he's blaming the track etc. If he gets honest with himself and the team then they still stand a good chance of pulling it together otherwise there'll be more stooge incidents like the car driving down pit row with the fuel line dangling behind.
First off I think LDM is wrong. Street racing is not bad for the sport. If anything it brings more interest into the sport. I think Singapore was a fantastic event, especially done at night. Ferrari had a terrible night... simple as that. I think the big thing is F-1 is now Show business... no longer a sport. That is the real problem. the drivers are cast members, the teams are the sponsors, and the whole thing is made for TV... I would suggest thats why its such a terrible show... you have motor heads at heart trying to put on a show!!! I was reading an artilce that Ecclestone did back in 1984... in Autocourse. if you have the book I suggest you read it... its about 180 degrees away from what is happening now... the only thing that changed is the money!!!!!!!!!!!! Like Wall street these guys are addicted to the cash, and I forsee a time coming soon that the cash will be drastically reduced... so I think F-1 will be moving more to the far east untill the economic stuff will catch up to China et all. All I can say is I hope Bernie invested heavy in subprime mortgages!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, I know.... but would *this* speech have come out now if it hadn't been for the situation at Singapore? Even if the intent is pure, the timing is highly suspect.
Again, he already critizised Singapore beforehand, so his timing is not suspect at all. He predicted it would be bad and it was. The only "entertainment" came with SC and pitlane incidents. That's not the entertainment a real race fan should care about. Take away the aero grip, make tracks wider with alternative racing lines (there should be some solution to the problem of a narrow clean line. Maybe a rubber compound that doesn't deteriorate as much?). In short, make overtaking easier. Street circuits like Valencia and Singapore aren't going to do that, period. Nice surroundings but that's not relevant for racing.
Bernie, Flavio and the fat cats like it because of the Hotels and 5 star restaurants are walking distance. Bodyguards please. The "average" F1 fan likes it as well. The spectacle is there. Cities like it because of the media attention and revenue. ( Minus Bernies cut ). Many drivers hate them. No room for error = no chances made. I think only Monaco should be on the schedule and only for its tradition. Singapore admittedly was pretty cool. Check out Inside Grand Prix simulation with the two Red Bull cars. Spectacular. The race itself was a catastrophe with regards to actual racing.
