Ferrari to Push for New Rules to Increase F1 Show

Ferrari's CEO Luca di Montezemolo warned the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA, for which he is the very chairman) to make new changes to the sports' format in order to increase the spectacle in F1. Although he didn't refer to a specific set of rules, the Italian boss revealed the teams' alliance will meet for their scheduled seminar at the end of the season and discuss the matter more seriously.

This year's spectacle consisted mostly of sporting scandals – lie-gate, crash-gate, the political battle between the FIA and the FOTA – and rarely, of breathtaking battles between the F1 machineries, on track. This trend has to stop, insisted di Montezemolo, and it will be done with the help of the media, organizers and sponsors connected to F1 racing.

“The reduction of spectators, at Monza (16 per cent fewer spectators as compared to 2008) too, indicates a need to change - no more boring grands prix and polemics. At the end of the year we'll have a work day with the media, organizers and sponsors in order to make this extraordinary sport more interesting,” said di Montezemolo while present at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

He once again pointed out that Formula One needs to see each team field 3 cars as soon as possible, and sustained his proposition with the Michael Schumacher argument. When the fans heard about Schu's return, the ticket sales doubled in a matter of days. The prospect of having a 3rd Ferrari driven by Michael Schumacher in 2010 seems much more appealing under those circumstances.

He also pointed out that Formula One needs to have in-season testing, as this year's experiment proved damaging for the majority of the teams.

“We must also think of testing. We are the only sport that doesn't train. I see many possible adjustments, with no polemics. I hope everyone agrees with the position of Ferrari, which has been in grand prix racing for ever,” added Di Montezemolo.