Comments on: Ferrari Gets the Jitters http://www.formula1latest.com/2006/12/23/ferrari-gets-the-jitters/ Formula 1 Motor Racing News and Views Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:50:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Clive http://www.formula1latest.com/2006/12/23/ferrari-gets-the-jitters/comment-page-1/#comment-754 Clive Sun, 24 Dec 2006 03:22:50 +0000 http://www.formula1latest.com/2006/12/23/ferrari-gets-the-jitters/#comment-754 Interesting stuff, David. We hear so little of Rory these days that it is easy to forget him and, as you say, Martinelli was another important part of the jigssaw that has been moved to FIAT. It looks very much like an old-style Ferrari palace revolution and suddenly we are reminded of the apparent snubbing of Montezemolo at Michael's announcement of his retirement at Monza. If anyone was in a position to break up the team, it was Montezemolo. I just don't get his motive for doing so. FIAT have been buying back the Ferrari shares they sold a while back so it's clear they want more involvement; maybe this has something to do with it. It's possible they have seen the trend for manufacturers to own the racing team outright and want to be in a similar position. If so, it seems madness to me, especially as they had to break up a winning team to do it. But who knows the deep and wondrous thoughts of the high and mighty? As for the "tired old men", I agree totally and will not be at all surprised to see Ross Brawn working for McLaren in a year or so. Interesting stuff, David. We hear so little of Rory these days that it is easy to forget him and, as you say, Martinelli was another important part of the jigssaw that has been moved to FIAT. It looks very much like an old-style Ferrari palace revolution and suddenly we are reminded of the apparent snubbing of Montezemolo at Michael’s announcement of his retirement at Monza. If anyone was in a position to break up the team, it was Montezemolo.

I just don’t get his motive for doing so. FIAT have been buying back the Ferrari shares they sold a while back so it’s clear they want more involvement; maybe this has something to do with it. It’s possible they have seen the trend for manufacturers to own the racing team outright and want to be in a similar position.

If so, it seems madness to me, especially as they had to break up a winning team to do it. But who knows the deep and wondrous thoughts of the high and mighty?

As for the “tired old men”, I agree totally and will not be at all surprised to see Ross Brawn working for McLaren in a year or so.

]]> By: David Clarke http://www.formula1latest.com/2006/12/23/ferrari-gets-the-jitters/comment-page-1/#comment-752 David Clarke Sat, 23 Dec 2006 20:15:12 +0000 http://www.formula1latest.com/2006/12/23/ferrari-gets-the-jitters/#comment-752 Ferrari’s potential problems may run even deeper than just the loss of their more visible Ross Brawn, Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher. Accomplished, longtime designer Rory Byrne’s final phase-out cannot be ignored. The successful 2004 was his last true design, the failed 2005 his first hand-over chassis, the initially underperforming 2006 (rescued by R.B.?) his second shared effort, with the yet unknown 2007 quantity being his final communal involvement. The additional departure of longtime engine guru Paolo Martinelli who successfully orchestrated their transition from V-12 to V-10 to V-8’s with superior power in way of reliable, efficient and drivable engines will undoubtedly also be playing on their minds. Only Jean Todt has accepted what may be a genuine new Company position. Michael Schumacher being retained as an “advisor” suggests a threat elimination, posed by an exceptional talent with at least two seasons left to perform. Of the remaining three, none are exactly tired old men content to just sit in the sun and watch the grass grow. Ferrari’s potential problems may run even deeper than just the loss of their more visible Ross Brawn, Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher.

Accomplished, longtime designer Rory Byrne’s final phase-out cannot be ignored. The successful 2004 was his last true design, the failed 2005 his first hand-over chassis, the initially underperforming 2006 (rescued by R.B.?) his second shared effort, with the yet unknown 2007 quantity being his final communal involvement.

The additional departure of longtime engine guru Paolo Martinelli who successfully orchestrated their transition from V-12 to V-10 to V-8’s with superior power in way of reliable, efficient and drivable engines will undoubtedly also be playing on their minds.

Only Jean Todt has accepted what may be a genuine new Company position. Michael Schumacher being retained as an “advisor” suggests a threat elimination, posed by an exceptional talent with at least two seasons left to perform. Of the remaining three, none are exactly tired old men content to just sit in the sun and watch the grass grow.

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