Just as several reports suggested during the last few weeks, the Italian official will step down from his CEO position within the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), his place being taken by McLaren Mercedes' team principal and CEO Martin Whitmarsh.
Nevertheless, that isn't to mean Di Montezemolo decided to leave his position within the teams' alliance as a sign of protest. On the contrary, following the recent FIA elections and the changes made to the sporting regulations of Formula One – revealed to the media late last week – Di Montezemolo praised new FIA president Jean Todt for making the first steps towards a brighter future for the series.
“We can look forward with confidence to changes in Formula 1, because today, steering the FIA, we have a competent person that we all like a lot. I wish to take this opportunity to give him, on behalf of all of us, our very best wishes,” said the Italian official of his former employee and current FIA boss Jean Todt.
Although admitting his team had one of its worst seasons in Formula One over the past year, Di Montezemolo insisted no one should look for excuses for Ferrari's 2009 failure. Instead, he wished all the well to former team driver Kimi Raikkonen and welcomed 2-time world champion Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari lineup next season.
“Fernando Alonso joins Ferrari at the best possible time for him and for the team. We will have a strong and determined team, which has proved it can react when the going gets tough, made up of skilled people who really want to win again. I thank you in advance for your efforts, while the congratulations will have to wait for next year!” added Di Montezemolo.
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