Luca di Montezemolo denies Ferrari want to change F1 because they're not competitive
Italian says F1 should be "extreme" but not too complicated
By Mike Wise at Sakhir
Last Updated: 06/04/14 3:40pm
Speaking as he arrived in the Bahrain GP paddock to discuss the impact of the sport's move to hybrid technology with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and FIA President Jean Todt, Ferrari's President waxed lyrical about the "music" he thinks an engine - rather than a power unit, presumably - should create.
"My position is clear, since a few months ago when I said that the risk of the new rules is to have drivers who have to save tyres, save fuel - this is not Formula 1," said Montezemolo, who expressed concerns ahead of the season that the new fuel-flow limit would turn Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and their rivals into 'taxi drivers'.
"I respect the situation but I think that in a constructive way, we have to look at it all together and try to do something because Formula 1 is extreme from the first lap 'till the last lap.
"A Formula 1 engine is music, not noise and Formula 1 is not too complicated rules in which the people, particularly on the track, they don't understand."
Mercedes joint-team boss Toto Wolff branded Ferrari's stance "absurd" on Saturday, but the 66-year-old added: "I think that something, without changing the rules, for the short-term is possible to do.
"I understand Mercedes' position but for me, Formula 1 is more important than the rules; Formula 1 is our life and so we have to think of the future era."
Mercedes have dominated both the opening races and with drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton sharing the front-row ahead of Sunday's race, Ferrari are clearly off their rivals' pace.
"That has nothing to do with this," Montezemolo insisted. "Ferrari has, with the rules of today, to be more competitive, try and push and be more competitive. It's not a question to change the rules now, but for the future it's a different story."
