- Ferrari
New Ferrari chairman Marchionne targets power unit revival
Ferrari's new chairman Sergio Marchionne says his biggest priority is sorting out the team's power unit issues which has seen it drop down the F1 pecking order in 2014.
FIAT CEO Marchionne has replaced Luca di Montezemolo, who stepped down after over two decades at the helm on Tuesday. His first job is to revive the fortunes of a team without a constructors' title since 2008 or a drivers' championship since Kimi Raikkonen's the year before.
Ferrari's biggest issue this year has been its power unit and Marchionne says it is the area he will address first.
"We know the problem", Marchionne told media during a joint press conference at Maranello."We have a power unit problem. I have faith in Ferrari and its sporting arm, and that it will be able to resurrect as it did in the past. The sporting arm continues to be an essential element for Ferrari. We'll work in order to try to win, because it's part of this company's DNA.
"The important thing is to get back to winning ways, this is essential. The problem is not about the problem we have here on the market. We need to give credibility to Ferrari on the track and fixed on that we need to return to the top. That will give us support to Ferrari. Winning on the track is something that is not negotiable. We must get there, and I don't have the slightest doubt we'll be able to do it."
Montezemolo was also present at the press conference and he signed off from his role with his belief Ferrari can get over its current blip in form soon.
"This is a very important day for me," Montezemolo said. "Ferrari means culture. Ferrari means passion. Ferrari means to look ahead. That's precisely what we have tried to do throughout these years on all fronts.
"We must have some regrets for not having won the title in 2010 and 2012. I consider the last two seasons negative. We have two world champions: from Kimi [Raikkonen] we expect a strong end of season, while Fernando [Alonso] is the strongest driver in the races. We must develop a competitive car, the rest is just talk. "Any second thoughts on the past? Certainly not concerning the drivers. But as far as technicians yes, because as I said earlier we had a lack of specific knowledge in the power unit project."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
