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Ferrari calls summit meeting to address F1's 'wrong turn'

ESPN Staff
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Luca di Montezemolo has called for an overhaul of the regulations © Sutton Images
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Ferrari has called for a meeting among Formula One's main stakeholders to correct the "wrong turn" its president believes the sport has taken.

Luca di Montezemolo has been critical of this year's new regulations, which have seen the introduction of pioneering engine technology and improved fuel efficiency. After comments Montezemolo made to the Wall Street Journal, Ferrari issued a more in-depth statement about the actions it is taking to change the direction of the sport.

"Ferrari has had Formula One coursing through its veins for over half a century and that's why it has decided to make a move to turn the sport away from the wrong turn it appears to have taken," the statement read. "The Maranello marque has decided to do this through the means of a formal act, which is a concrete proposal, in the form of a letter from its President Luca di Montezemolo to the Formula One rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone and to Donald McKenzie, the president of the company that owns Formula One [CVC Capital].

"It is not an ultimatum, nor a threat, but a proposal to call together all the key players in the sport to sit down around a table and come up with new ideas that will see Formula One continue to set the benchmark in motorsport, on level terms with global events such as the Olympics and the football World Cup. The President wants to see a collective brainstorming from the group to act for the good of Formula One. Contributions from all areas are of value; teams, sponsors, promoters and media, so that the key values of Formula One can be reestablished. President Montezemolo would also like to see other high-end players invited, those who are currently not involved or only partially so; new media, social networks and colossi such as Google and Apple.

"Formula One has to be based on technical innovation, research and development, but this must all be done with sustainable costs and above all, must be moved forward as part of a product that can put on a show. Because it is the show that draws in the commercial partners, the sponsors and, above all, the fans, who are the real end users of the Formula One product. Finding the right mix of these ingredients will be vital for the sustainability and the future success of our much-loved sport."

Earlier this year Montezemolo proposed the new F1 fuel regulations were changed, arguing they had resulted in a "taxi driver" formula. However, suggestions that the fuel tanks were increased in size on this year's cars were ruled out immediately by engineers as it would have required a complete redesign. His comments were also overshadowed by one of the most exciting races of the year later that day in Bahrain.

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