Luca di Montezemolo says there is no correlation between Ferrari’s successes as a business as opposed to success in formula one.<\/p>\n
After 23 years as president, the Maranello marque’s iconic leader is stepping down to be replaced by Fiat-Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne.<\/p>\n
Defending his position, Marchionne said that while 67-year-old Montezemolo should be applauded for growing Ferrari as a road car business, the downwards trend of success in formula one needs to be addressed.<\/p>\n
The implication is that, ultimately, Ferrari overall will suffer.<\/p>\n
But, in an interview to be aired by Italian broadcaster Rai 1 later on Tuesday, Montezemolo challenged the view that Ferrari’s road car and F1 successes can be tied together.<\/p>\n
“I often hear people say ‘If you win you sell more, if you lose you sell less’,” said the charismatic Italian.<\/p>\n
“My reply is that it is not so.\u00a0 Just think that the greatest growth Ferrari has had over the past 60 years was in the United States — the country where formula one is almost unknown.”<\/p>\n
Montezemolo says that even applies to other markets.<\/p>\n
“It would be said ‘take a German driver, sell more in Germany’.\u00a0 But we had outstanding victories with a driver like Schumacher, but we didn’t sell any more in Germany,” he insisted.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, as Montezemolo’s decline is hotly debated in Italy and beyond, a member of the influential Agnelli family has backed the controversial news.<\/p>\n
Andrea Agnelli, president of the Juventus football club, said Montezemolo made a “profound” impact on Ferrari, including “incredible achievements” for the Maranello marque.<\/p>\n
But he said responsibility for Ferrari’s failure to win a title since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 “applies to everyone”.<\/p>\n
“Whenever you begin a process of renewal which relates to the medium and long term, it is right that it involves new people,” said Agnelli, whose uncle was the great Fiat figurehead Gianni Agnelli.<\/p>\n
“Ferrari must not be nostalgic but look to the future in a constructive manner with regards to the leadership,” he is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.<\/p>\n
“I hope that Ferrari and Juventus win together perhaps already next year, as anyone who works in sports can set no other ambition than victory.<\/p>\n
“Sport, from this point of view, is ruthless both on the football field and on the track,” said Agnelli.<\/p>\n
\u00a9 RIF | GMM<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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