© WRI2
Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo regrets that his past contribution to the iconic Italian company's growth and worldwide success was not recognised by current management in the wake of the manufacturer's recent flotation on the public stock market.
Montezemolo, whose career with Ferrari initially started way back in 1973 as the Scuderia's sporting director, guided the house of Maranello's destiny from 1991 until the end of 2014, when a fall-out with current chairman Sergio Marchionne ended the 68-year-old manager's reign.
Under Montezemolo's govern, the Ferrari brand and its products flourished while the Scuderia conquered 14 world drivers' and constructers' titles, the bulk of which were achieved during the Michael Schumacher era between 2000 and 2004.
Speaking recently to the Financial Times on the subject of Ferrari's flotation, the current chairman and CEO of Italian airline carrier Alitalia believes he deserves more credit for his contribution to Ferrari's prosperity.
"When Ferrari went public, of the results they presented, 23 of 24 years were down to me and my people," he said.
"So the least I expected from the owners was an official thank you. I didn’t expect a present because the value [of the company at $9.8bn in the initial public offering] was unbelievable, but at least a thanks."
In addition to his responsibilities with Alitalia, Montezemolo also heads the committee which is attempting to secure the 2024 Olympic Games for the city of Rome.
Max Verstappen’s racing curiosity has never been confined to Formula 1 – and now, one…
When F1’s radically redesigned 2026 cars finally roll out in Barcelona at the end of…
Max Verstappen has never been one to sugar-coat reality – and as Formula 1 braces…
Ferrari have survived decades of criticism about strategy calls, driver politics and pit stops that…
While the paddock has been whispering for months that Mercedes might be holding the winning…
Dan Gurney passed away on this day in 2018, and here at F1i we'll never…