Madonna di Campiglio, 11 January

Before leaving Madonna di Campiglio, Luca di Montezemolo could not get out of casting an eye on the now imminent start of the coming race season.

“We will launch the new car on 3 February in Maranello and my hope and that of all our fans is to have a car that is competitive right from the start,” said Montezemolo. “It will be an interesting championship, with so many world champions taking part. Our two guys, Felipe and Fernando seem in great form and everyone else is working flat out on every detail. Domenicali said the car would not be pretty? I’d like it to look lousy: I say that provocatively because I want it to be a winner, reliable but also “simpatico” in the sense that it knows how to win with a smile!”

Montezemolo was asked if, in a year as difficult as the one Italy is currently going through, there is an even greater responsibility for Ferrari to be winning again: “Absolutely,” was the reply. “Each one of us, whatever our job, must contribute to upholding the name of our country around the world. We are putting in a lot of effort on the preparation of the car and so too are the drivers: we are confident and have high hopes. “I have told Felipe to prepare well, both mentally and physically and I hope he finds a car that is better adapted to his driving style, maybe with the softer tyres,” concluded Montezemolo – A question for Fernando? I believe he is the one to ask if this car will be quick or not. Because the fact he is quick is a certainty and maybe the question will be asked of him in Jerez after he has done the first kilometres at the wheel of the car to see what it’s like. The world championship title? We came very close in 2010, a long way off in 2011 and we want to win it in 2012. That’s easy to say, but harder to do, but we have an extraordinary sense of determination to get it done.”