Le Mans, 13th June 2009

"It's great to see so many people here for a car race, it's a fantastic atmosphere." Meeting the press after a lap on the track in a Ferrari California with Jean Alesi behind the wheel, Luca di Montezemolo didn't hide his satisfaction about the packed grandstands at Le Mans:
"Thinking about all these enthusiastic people and about the empty grandstands at Istanbul last week I think that there's something wrong. But today I don't want to sadden myself by talking about Formula 1," the Ferrari Chairman said. "You all know our position, we've told you more than once: we want stability, certain rules, a clear and transparent governance system and the possibility to let the teams work the way they already showed they can work on a reduction of the costs. I really hope that we can find a solution: I'm convinced that there are responsible people at the FIA,who know about the situation."




Montezemolo as a flagman at the 24 Hours raised many questions as far as a probable return of the manufacturer from Maranello in the future to such a competition is concerned. "A Ferrari at Le Mans? Why not?," Montezemolo said. "If we should not race in Formula 1 anymore this would be an option: obviously not with a car with a Diesel engine, but maybe with a hybrid, who knows. In this race you can really see the values of competition in the areas of sports and technology, but I have to say again that the life, the heart and the soul of Ferrari are with Formula 1. This year, also because of the rules we can call "grey", it doesn't go too well, but we will never give up. Where we will be in 2011? For sure this situation will be resolved somehow: we will race in a Formula 1 with characteristics we want to keep or there will be some sort of alternative."