Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is saddened by the state of “his” team and annoyed that Kimi Antonelli drives for Mercedes
It was always a bit like an audience when Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari president of the golden Schumacher years, appeared in the Formula 1 paddock. This is still the case today, more than ten years after his retirement from office. When the 77-year-old speaks, at least all of motorsport Italy listens.
This weekend, Montezemolo is visiting the Scuderia, and in an interview with Sky, he reports that the old Ferrari acquaintances he still has “all seem very motivated”. It was nice to see the old faces again, because Ferrari is currently “a team that sometimes lacks leadership”.
The Italian does not elaborate on exactly what he means. Possibly a criticism of team manager Frederic Vasseur? Or of the Ferrari company management as a whole? One thing is clear: “I hope that sooner or later we will not only see podium places, but that we will also have a car at the front again. That’s what it’s all about. But it takes organization and time.”
As a still passionate Ferrari fan, he is currently “sad because I see a team without a soul. Ferrari stands for passion, Ferrari stands for working day and night and never giving up”. And it also makes him a little angry that the Scuderia has not managed to produce a competitive car from the first race in 2025, after the finish of the 2024 season had been so promising.
Montezemolo is noncommittal when it comes to Lewis Hamilton, saying, “Hamilton is a great guy. He was part of Formula One history. He knows that this is his last chance. He came to Ferrari to win and to end his career with Ferrari. But it’s not easy to adjust to a new way of working. And the problem is that he doesn’t have a car that can win the world championship. After so many years, we urgently need a winning car again.”
Should it not work out with Hamilton, Montezemolo could imagine bringing a young Italian into the team: Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The 18-year-old is currently driving for Mercedes – but could be released if the “silly season” takes a crazy turn, should Max Verstappen really switch from Red Bull to Mercedes, as some in the paddock suspect.
“He’s a first-class lad,” says Montezemolo, praising his compatriot. ”It’s his first year in F1, but he’s not making any mistakes and he’s fast. I can see how he’s developing. Plus, he has a distinct advantage: he’s from Bologna! I really regret that he’s with Mercedes. I would have put him on Sauber for two years and then taken him to Ferrari. But Toto was very good at recognizing his talent early on, just like McLaren did with Lewis back in the day.”
