If you had lunch with luca - what would you ask him?

I know a lot would ask about the company direction but I would like to ask about his time with Enzo. That, to me, would be fascinating. He must have some amazing stories.

 

Dating tips only. ;-)

Seriously, agree with bdelp.. early years with Enzo would really be interesting.

 

Whatever you like
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

why are you killing the manual transmission. First thing outta my mouth.

 

mine too. surprised it took four posts to get to this important issue.

i think i would then stop asking questions and instead begin imposing my thoughts

 

"Why would you trash-talk about the product of your predecessor?"

 

I would ask about his times with Enzo and the drivers when he was running the team back then but I would also ask alot of others questions that would probably make him feel uncomfortable. The question is would he be man enough to sit and take on such questions with an honest reply?

I would ask or mention that I have concerns about his commitment to Ferrari at the present time since it he is pursueing a political career now.

Does that mean I could put in a call and actually get a answer/reply from him personaly, I doubt it.

 

That will take about 2 seconds to answer

"Be-coza pea-pul donna want dem."

 

He must be talking to the wrong people or forgetting the heritage.

 

"Giancarlo Fisichella...seriously?"

 

You mean customers? Those wrong people?

There's a ton more heritage in weber carbs than there is in a manual box. Let's cry over them too. If Enzo could have raced faster with an auto box, do you really think he would have forsaken it just for heritage sake?

Come on guys... the argument is over. You just don't know it yet.

 

I would ask about the turnaround in the early-mid 90s, what was his toughest decision, if he had an epiphany or was it slowly developing concept for the brand. The, "You are now in charge of Ferrari. Now what?" type stuff.

 

I'm going to reveal a secret. My first car was a '69 Beetle, my second car was a '74 X-1/9, and so I wanted a red 456M with a manual, but, "settled" for one with every option I wanted except it had the automatic. I love this car. I think I would love it less if it was gated, but I'm now wanting to try an F1.

I was stuck in some stop-and-go rush hour traffic for about thirty minutes the other day - there were grades involved - and was I ever grateful it was an automatic. But gunning it through the twisties on TX16 is still a ball, and the auto has logical shift points and dynamic responses, so you can really control the transmission with the throttle.

It's cool. I like it. There is certainly an F1 612 in my future.

*****

As for the question to Luca, "Why the LED headlights?" I hate those things. ;^)

Cheers,

George

 

I'd ask him for a job at the coolest compan on earth, maybe team boss instead of domenicali so we might start designing a car with a chance, and once we got it, I'd get the pit stops strategy right for a change

Otherwise, I'd want to know what drives his ambition every day

 

Know it. Just don't want to accept it.. :-(

 

First I would thank him for the compliments he gave my 330GTC during the MM Tribute.

Then questions about the future during lunch:

1. After the Mille Chile, we have seen very little evidence that Ferrari wants to develop lighter cars. When is the company going to take a turn towards that? It seems inevitable that it will happen, why not take a jump on the competition and do something remarkable?
2. How do you see the position of Ferrari as a company, and its products, withstand the current political climate in Italy? Will it, or has it already, affected the brand and what can be done to alleviate this?
3. More and more pressure is being put on manufacturers like Ferrari to reign in some of the speed. There is a large retro movement with a large customer base. There are many Ferrari clients that mourn the demise of the manual gearbox. Given all this, and the points raised in question 1 and 2, would it not be a great idea to consider relaunching the Dino brand for purist driving cars? Cars less about speed (although they would be quick) but all about the Ferrari style, quality, joie de vivre and exclusivity. I picture a new Dino not as a cheaper car, but the same price as a California. A V6 would be nice, to create a link with the F1 engine coming up. Weight must be below 1100 kgs. Manual standard, perhaps not even an F1 option. This would be car that is completely out of competition with Alfa, Maserati, or Ferrari's own car. I think it would be a great success. What do you think about that idea?
4. How confident is the factory that the current direction for the F1 car will prove the right one for the future?

Then history questions for grappa time (after lunch, for you non-Italians):

1. What was it like running an F1 team in the '70ies, being a lawyer by trade?
2. Can you tell me just 1 great story that typifies Enzo for you?
3. Do you know why Enzo never left Italy? It is surprising he didn't at least watch the races in Europe.
4. What made you decide to implement Formula Uomo? How did the idea come about?
5. What was the main catalyst in the 1990's for the current wave of succes of Ferrari?

How was your meal? And can you please get me a ride in the 3-seater Formula 1 car?


Onno

 

Why are you delay for so long Enzo's successor...

 

Yes...and, to expand on that: Why have you not done as Porsche did and use the PDK system to also make a manual clutch gearbox with the same gears, etc. to provide this for people who want it?

 

Please pass the salt.

 

And name it Dino with lines inspired by it, with optional gated shifter or else you might wake up to a testa di cavallo on your bed.

 

Why didn't you guys save Pininfarina?

 

I would ask him what is he waiting for to overhaul his F1 race team!

 

"Yeah, whatdacrap? Did a 348 used to beat you up after school every day or something?"

 

I think of it this way: he's done very well as a businessman for Ferrari the company, but has been a terrible ambassador for the heritage of Ferrari the marque. I think he missed the point of the 348, which is forgivable - but he didn't need to trash talk it in order to sell the 355 or the 458.

All the best,
Andrew.