Ferrari Boss Insists Alonso, Massa Will Have Equal Title Chances

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo insisted that both Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa will be given equal chances to fight for the world title in 2011. Consequently, the Scuderia will not deploy team orders early in the season, but only if there is a clear indication that one driver has indisputably better chances to fight for the championship as compared to his teammate.

The Italian team has been in the center of a team tactics controversy during the recently ended campaign, as a result of which the team orders ban was dropped from the F1 rulebook for the 2011 season. In the German Grand Prix, Massa was suggested via radio to let his teammate pass him for 1st place, a move that triggered immense criticism from the media and Ferrari's rivals alike.

Next year however, Di Montezemolo insisted that Ferrari will not turn to such tactics early on.

“If I think one of my drivers is not in the condition to win the championship, I will change them. I want two drivers in a condition to win,” said the Italian company's boss during the Ferrari media lunch yesterday.

“I don't want to have a person that is frustrated from the first race because he knows he has less power. Also, the races are too unpredictable. What is important is to have a clear understanding between the two drivers in case and when it might be a necessity.”

“For sure in the second half of the season we have to be prepared in a very open way, but in the first part of the season it is in the interest of the team to put both drivers in the best situation,” he added, while arguing that Ferrari's move at Hockenheim was the correct one considering the championship situation of its drivers at the time.