Formula1 September 1, 2014 The other night, as I had anticipated, I had the pleasure of meeting Stefano Domenicali before the audience at the Unity Day of Reggio Emilia.
I was very impressed with two things. First, the massive popular participation. There was really a lot of people.
Second, the sympathy that the public has shown towards the former head of the racing department of Ferrari, in his first appearance 'ao vivo' after the well-known events.
Evidently, to put it mildly, do not all share the hardships of their judgment of certain frequenters of my house.
Wisdom proletarian?
Collective hallucination?
Boh.
Anyway, here are the most significant things said by the Sun 'coram populo'.
The carry-over without comment. There's no need.
'I have taken the blame for failure. Things did not go as I expected and as expected, then it makes no sense to me, now, to pontificate. Obviously I have my own ideas and maybe one day I'll find a friend (I think I know, ed) that gather in a small book, but do not pursue the controversy. It 'happened, was not to be, I'm sorry. End of transmission '.
'In the fall certainly will cover a new role, I will not pre retired life, although the months without Ferrari I have happily forced to rediscover the pleasures of everyday life. Detractors say that I had to rediscover them before and I respect their tenacity, after which time is a gentleman and as they say history will judge '.
'Of Ferrari I only say this, humbly, from love of the team and also doing self-criticism, if someone wants to understand: it would not hurt to recover the serenity inside, because then we have seen smart people elsewhere who had the opportunity to showcase their talent . And did I mention that this is a self-criticism '.
'The pilot who, in different roles and at different times, I had the best relationship was certainly Michael Schumacher. He was formidable because his contribution was not limited in the exceptional talent behind the wheel. He had the ability to not ever outsource your discomfort, when things were not working on the track. In private, the team, he could be very severe, even ruthless. But outside it was always the first to defend the team '.
'On his health so he does know the family. I am very reserved and understand them. We are in contact, they tell me that there are small, continuous progress and as we all want to hope that this terrible anxiety will end up in the best way. We just have to wait, unfortunately. '
'It is not true that Alonso had a difficult relationship with me or with the team. Fernando is a nice person and I say this frankly. Compared to Schumi is certainly more open attitude towards communication, maybe sometimes its a word is mistranslated, but has never been negative towards the team, Ferrari. E 'was also unlucky, we were also unlucky. We paid for our mistakes, but if we had won a couple of titles, here, no one could challenge them '.
'Raikkonen is very different from Fernando, but I find it adorable. I am proud to have him brought back to Maranello. I regret not having secured him and Fernando machine they deserved, but the causes of the flop, as I told you, I do not want to express, not now, not fair '.
'The F1 I keep looking at it, I do not think it's fair to consider it a show in crisis, it is not, there is a relationship problem with the newest generations, I have kids too, everything has changed, now those who have less than twenty years difficult to stick to the tv or computer for an event that lasts nearly two hours. I believe that motoring should evolve towards new forms of communication, without denying its history. It 'a complicated equation, but a solution will be found, you'll see'.
'In the current situation in Mercedes have witnessed from afar. I do not think that Ricciardo will be the third party that has, at the end of the title, or will be, or will be in Hamilton Rosberg. Lewis has to be careful with the syndrome of Donald Duck, if you yield to the temptation to be considered the poor relation of the family get into trouble. Nico will have to endure, since Monza, enormous pressure, for what has happened recently. '
'Do not ask me how I managed them myself! The logic of mine, who was then teaching di Montezemolo and diTodt, was clear: the interest of the team always prevails, must always prevail. After that there are many ways to deal with the realities imposed by the track. I always tried to clarify things in advance, such as you wrote the horrible things in 2010 to the order given to Massa in Germany, but there was a certain hierarchy on Saturday night, there was no cheap shot at the last moment '.
'So this is why, oddly enough, that I liked Irvine. Eddie was a number two that he knew to be a number two and number two behaved. In 1999 he had the opportunity to become champion and it is ridiculous to argue that as Ferrari chose to do so missed. Indeed, look, the truth is that at Suzuka in the decisive match, if Irvine had been at the height of his abilities, which were not few, the world would take him home. But, for the first and I think only time in his career, he did devour the voltage, you were there and you know it, did not sleep on Saturday night and there were no women in his room! '
'I live a few miles circuit of Monza. For nearly twenty-five years, the weekend of the Italian Grand Prix was the weekend of the race in my home. They invited me, but this time I think I'll stay away from the circuit. I miss the Formula One? Yes, a little ', it is inevitable. I could get more, in the role that I covered? Definitely, but I gave it everything I had. Regrets? Some. Nostalgie? Well, once I read your blog and I am pissed off, now I read it and I enjoy it. Of course you're a rogue ... '
Well, then there might still be hope for Vettel! (Leo refers about a chance of seeing Vettel in Ferrari). Ok, ok. It ‘s a joke. I want to say that the return to victory for Vale has a good flavor (*taste) to it for those in my generation. Obviously, as a profound Moto GP fan as I am, I doubt that Rossi, for age reasons, can return to the summit. But it is fair to say that he was the right place, at the right time, when the opportunity arose. After these thoughts crossed my mind, I received a call from a guy who works at a high level in Marchionne’s Ferrari. He talked about the Ducati syndrome in the context of Alonso. The concept is this – at one point, Rossi took the view that with the Borgo Panigale Team (* Ducati Team), he would have only lost more precise time… time that was running out for him…. and enthusiasm. In Maranello, they fear that Fernando is going to make the same reflection (*thought)… That’s all I want to say to you.
Formula1 October 2, 2014 This is the end, my friend.
That is, we will have time to comment, however, and God sees and provides, wishing there would also be space for a miraculous reconstruction, but still.
I guess you already know.
At Suzuka Alonso has thrown the ball in the court of Marchionne, saying among other things, that it deems to Ferrari to let him know what is best for their relationship. Fernando also said that they have never been so strong in his career, to daydream a third world title and bla bla bla.
Marchionne has responded from the Paris Motor Show, in essence saying, Drake style: Ferrari is more important than any partner.
That is, the man in pullover cares very little, dare I say zero, for the Asturian and that is already intuited well in recent weeks.
At the transcontinental curtain the outgoing-usher in Maranello also joined, aka Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, also in Paris. Ipse dixit: Alonso is talking with Mattiacci, he has to see what he asks, I'm sure they will find the ideal solution, it is important that Ferrari remains Ferrari.
Translated the alphabet LCDM: do not ask me anymore, at most I could tell you about the programs or projects Italo relaunch of Alitalia.
At Suzuka, all hanging from the lips of Mattiacci.
Who would have guessed?
That said, I shorten it.
They should decide quickly, in one sense or another. This story has broken and will express judgments will not be made official until the epilogue. I notice armies of orphans already in circulation: so tender.
God forbid that I subtract myself from the topic of the week.
Where’s Zaza (defined as Kimi)? (*Zazà is the name of an old italian song)
Notoriously, I have been delighted with the return of Kimi at Ferrari.
I thought it was a perfect move, and Alonso, despite the contrary opinion of the trolls and the Spaniards, had nothing to do with that.
My idea was (and remains so) that Ferrari needed two top drivers .
I have in mind Raikkonen in 2013 who fought for second place in the championship driving the Lotus.
So far, these are things told and retold.
Good and or bad….
I, again excluding the possessed and the trolls, have NEVER written that Raikkonen would have certainly beaten Alonso.
I was not a fool then nor am I a fool in transit here.
I wrote (and confirm it) that the best Kimi would match Alonso (which as a rider I have always respected a lot).
There are collections of paper, digital memories, the videos from the TV.
I understand that Raikkonen (my idol imperishable, for reasons I have expressed many times here and elsewhere: I like his idea of life, his relationship with Formula One, the fact that it is the last Ferrari world champion behind the wheel of my beloved team) this season has been paved by Alonso.
Paved, exactly.
I do not seek excuses and ignore the possessed. I want to note that it was me, after six Grands Prix, writing that the first set ended 6-0 for Alonso.
Never hidden anything. If you have any suspicions, I underline that in the world there are about eight hundred blogs, sites, blah blah blah, that deal with F1. If you doubt my honesty, what are you still doing here?
Then, if you want me to declare that Fernando is the ALL TIME best driver, sorry, I do not think so. Let this be told from my dear friend, Minardi, who believes it and I respect that, but I disagree.
But I do think that in 2014, the real Kimi has (almost) never been seen.
I guess even he is not happy.
I accept the excuses and extenuating circumstances (machine styled for Fernando, management of the wall, back crashes, assorted bad luck).
But the balance is one and the numbers do not mess around.
In comparison with Fernando, my pupil was not up to him.
After that, ladies and gentlemen, history is there (not my fault if there is a roll of honor of the world champion behind the wheel of the Ferrari).
2015 will tell if the Kimi-bis was supposed to be a flop, or whether, as I still believe, the operation makes sense and has a perspective.
And time will tell whether Fernando Alonso returns to win a World Championship.
I wish I had time to do a better translation, meanwhile, here's an interesting post from Kimi's official forum:
quote from whats-his-name
quote from WHATEVERIt seems Marco Mattiacci has been replaced as Ferrari team principal by Arrivabene sarting today.
I can't understand this continuos changes in key positions, nobody can change the team in just a few months, it takes time. And now this new team principal has to learn everything all over again. While competing against very experienced peeps.
Even so, I really hope this means only good things next year, not only for Ferrari but for Kimi too.
I guess they decided that they were still going downhill where perhaps they were hoping that Mattiacci might at least stem the decline in Ferrari's fortunes over the last six months. I wonder how Arrivabene will do - I assume he's been brought in to make sure the right people are in the right job and are interpreting F1 regulations to their fullest extent rather than for his racing or engineering experience.
There have been rumours (just rumours!) that Aldo Costa would return to Ferrari (Bild newspaper), designer of the 2014 Mercedes car. He had some insights into why Ferrari have been failing http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/08/me...-is-struggling/
All this might be based on the belief that Nicholas Tombazis (Chief Designer) will go according to Leo Turrini (who is well-informed)...
Some things I know on account of Maurizio Arrivabene, the new head of Ferrari Grand Prix.
Arrivabene will not have bad start, in my opinion.
1) I've known him a quarter of a century. The man, as I mentioned, loves viscerally the Red Maranello. It was one of those that on a fall Sunday in Suzuka 2000, began to smoke in my company a dozen cigarettes, failing to follow the monitor the final of the Grand Prix that was about to change history.
2) This is to say that I trust the character. I guess Maurizio, no longer young, is pushed by the desire to accept the role, if you want nostalgic-patriotic-dull-beggar, to do something to a symbol of our country. I know, I know. Now we live in an era dominated by wild skepticism, yet perhaps there are still people who believe in something symbolic.
3) I make it short. If one tells me (and of course I respect this position) that Ferrari, for an Italian, is a company and a 'brand' F1 identical to the others, peace. If one feels the suggestion instead of one, as it were, diversity, behold, I am with him.
4) It's important, I hope, that Arrivabene enjoys the unconditional trust of the shareholder Fiat-Chrysler. It's 'very attached to Andrea Agnelli, who perhaps will soon be president in Maranello. I'm not known to Juventus, but if you assure me that the IPO and the distribution of the special dividend is not emptied the coffers of the racing department, uhm, we will pass over (to the distinct and distant faith football).
5) That, and to translate: or Arrivabene means maximum commitment of the master-american Turin or we are finished, given the gap to be filled against Mercedes (and it is a delay that involves resources to invest massively, both in research and in staff) .
6) I think Maurizio consider his mission like a tribal chief who knows he has to cross the desert and since the desert is very uncomfortable camel drivers will very, very smart.
7) I exclude that Tombazis will remain at his post in the new organization Ferrari. One of the things about Mattiacci that Marchionne did not understood, is the confirmation of the greek designer. Not for the person: Tombazis is a great individual, a Mr. professional and... blah blah blah. But too many years that the Red, designed by him, does not work. Keeping him there aroused enormous concern.
8 ) Unfortunately the information on the performance of the car for 2015 are very bad. Vettel was informed, Raikkonen knew already. Birds will still be without sugar (and without Tombazis, as I said).
9) Marchionne has promised his total support to Arrivabene also 'politicaly'. Its 'possible that Ferrari president participates in person at a forthcoming meeting of the F1 Commission, one that deals with the rules, to send a strong signal to the band of the usual suspects. In short: either they listen or they listen to us, because the GP can not do without Ferrari ...
10) To Mattiacci sorry. I met him, he courageously faced a dramatic situation, in spite of a specific 'culture' that he had not and could not have. It would be interesting to know his version of the facts about the reality of a mandate without prospects, a government stuff seaside First Republic style. But I'm sure that will not open his mouth. However, if he wants to write in Latin, which we both love, I swear I'll keep the translation for myself.
Point 8 above is a bit disconcerting but lets hope James Allison (assuming he'll still be around) and both drivers can work together to get something driveable despite the upheavals in Ferrari.
Even more rumourous (if that's a word) is the return of Ross Brawn although what position he will take is not known (he'd probably want Arrivabene's job so can't see that happening even if it was true that Brawn wanted to return to F1). I think James Allison will be safe - he's part way through developing the 2015 chassis which appears to be going well.
I think there might be some interesting new faces before next season!
Heikki Kulta wrote Ferrari has hired 60 new mechanics, engineers and so on from other teams. For example from Lotus, Red Bull, Merc..they got hybrid engineer from Merc.
quoteMattiacci speaks: 'Vettel is my farewell gift'
I spoke with Marco Mattiacci.
I tracked him down on his American cellphone.
The Italian number was deactivated.
He was very polite and even affectionate with my unkind person. And a man much proven by a treatment that he doesn't believe to deserves. For what it's worth, I am hating Italy's Maramaldo (=ruthless), always very present also on the mass media, I don't find it hard to understand the mood.
Although I fear that the great curiosity that drives anyone who wants to think with a clear head (that is, but what the hell happened, to get a break so brutal and sudden?) Is destined to remain unanswered. Too bad for me, for you and your dear friend Quattropalle, who affectionately calls me to investigate the Mattiacci-gate.
In fact I asked him, do you want to comment on the epilogue, sharp of your experience at the top of the racing department?
Answer.
"I do not want to talk about the end. I do not intend to do it now and I will not do so in the future."
I asked him: descrive as Vietnam these your few weeks and a half into chaos Ferrari?
Answer.
"No, on the contrary! Look, you're wrong, it was a time I lived with enthusiasm, in the midst of passionate employees. It was not a Vietnam and I am not a loser."
I asked him, and then how do you feel?
Answer.
"As one who has worked for Ferrari for fifteen years, not for seven months and something. And 'this is a great privilege in life. I am a forty-three-year-old who has been lucky enough to work in the service of a special company and this no one can take away from me. "
I said, but it is a very bad end, Marco.
Answer.
"Do you know the motto? What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. It will be worth for me, trust me."
I asked him, but what balance you can draw, your short term at the helm of the racing division of Ferrari?
Answer.
"I am convinced that I have promoted a series of small steps that over time will pay. And let me add that I will stay Ferrari supporter for the speech that I've done before. My best wishes to Maurizio Arrivabene are sincere, he is a very competent, i'm sure the fans will get the results they expect, including me, who am just a big fan of the Scuderia ".
I asked him if he had a longing for something, in these hours so heavy and melancholic.
Answer.
"I've seen pictures of Vettel in the Ferrari box for testing in Abu Dhabi. I'm glad I brought him in Maranello, has already sent a new energy, a fresh enthusiasm."
I asked him, I can write that Seb dressed in red is your farewell gift to Ferrari?
Answer.
"If you write, I do not mind."
I asked him, but they gave you at least given time to empty the drawers in Maranello?
Answer.
"When I will go to do it, remember to invite me to eat a plate of tortellini. Those, I will miss."
for posting that Miezi. He may not have come from a Motorsports background.. but he certainly seemed to have the right attitude and drive to be successful at this level. Whether that would have happened, obvioulsy we will never know.
Quote: WHATEVER wrote in post #223I guess what he meant by Vietnam was like a "war zone" or something like that.
I would agree with W here, Ja
Vietnam was a war for the USA that sent a lot of "draftees" to the war, because we didn't have enough active troops in our military. And those who were drafted to fight in the war were much less effective in combat than the trained militia.
I think he means this as well.. That mattiaci wasn't a true "soldier"
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Tue Sep 02, 2014 9:04 am
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so much, W! 
