Luca di Montezemolo: When I see a Formula 1 driver waiting to recharge the battery instead of overtaking, I am sceptical

In a long-ranging interview with Corriere della Sera, Montezemolo said: “It pains me to see, based on the start of the season, that they have a good car but not one capable of winning the World Championship. What hurts most is that in the last ten years, they have never gone into the final race fighting for the drivers’ title.”

Montezemolo compared that to his own era: “In my time, we lost 11 championships at the last race. They felt like punches to the stomach, but we were there fighting.”

Looking ahead, he remained cautious: “The gap is quite alarming, but the chasing teams can improve and there will be long breaks. Perhaps it is not so predictable.”

He also questioned the direction of the sport under the current hybrid era: “Formula 1 must innovate without losing its essence. When I see a driver waiting to recharge the battery instead of overtaking, I am sceptical.”

Montezemolo concluded with a firm stance on electrification at Ferrari: “Not even on medication.”

Looking back on the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Montezemolo admitted Kimi Antonelli’s rise in Formula 1 has impressed him, but the former Ferrari president made clear he would have preferred to see the Italian teenager in red rather than at Mercedes.

Speaking in an interview linked to his documentary Sognando Rosso, Montezemolo reflected on Antonelli’s breakthrough while questioning the current landscape that has allowed Italy’s brightest young talent to emerge elsewhere.

Montezemolo said of Antonelli's greatest day: “His victory moved me. He is a 19 year old who is constantly improving. He had struggled with starts, yet he did not lose confidence. He took the lead and controlled the race without hesitation, only taking risks at the end.”

“He showed maturity and composure that are not typical of an Italian, especially not at his age. He is grounded. I hope he stays that way, because all the signs are there. But it annoyed me a bit to see him in a Mercedes.”

Pressed on whether he would have preferred Antonelli at Ferrari, Montezemolo replied: “Exactly.”

Montezemolo suggested placing Antonelli directly into Ferrari would have been a risk, pointing to the unique pressure that comes with driving for the Scuderia: “Today the conditions are different. It is no longer just about karting results. Teams look at simulator data.

"Drivers are developed there. It is easier to choose very young talents. But putting someone like Antonelli straight into Ferrari would have destroyed him. We placed Massa at Sauber to gain experience.”

Montezemolo expanded on that point: “The pressure would have been enormous. I remember the days of Lauda and Regazzoni, when people wrote that we gave Niki the best car. It was not true.”

Offering advice to Antonelli, he added: “I would tell him to keep improving, because, with all due respect, he was perfect in a clearly superior car. I have seen many drivers believe they were stars after a few Grands Prix.”

Montezemolo concluded: “But Kimi is different, and Mercedes has done an excellent job. Last year he debuted in Formula 1 in a non-winning car, without today’s pressure.”

Reflecting on his time leading Ferrari, Montezemolo identified Ayrton Senna as the one driver he most regrets never signing: “Senna. It is also one of the most powerful scenes in the film. You see the armchair in my house in Bologna where he sat a few days before he died at Imola. We spoke about everything, from Ferrari’s history to politics. It would have been a wonderful partnership.”

He recalled a conversation with the Brazilian: “Once he told me: I arrive at Bologna airport with Alesi and everyone goes to Jean, even though I am the world champion. I want to drive for Ferrari.”

On Senna’s character, Montezemolo said: “Someone who was always trying to improve, like Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher.”