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Montezemolo wants an American-run Ferrari in F1

Luca di Montezemolo wants three car teams in F1 © Sutton Images

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Luca di Montezemolo is determined to see three-car teams replace the struggling backmarkers in Formula One and has said that successful American outfits Penske and Ganassi would be prime candidates to run a third Ferrari.

The Ferrari president has been keen on running a third car for a couple of years, but his arguments have so far fallen on deaf ears at the FIA. However, Italian magazine Autosprint is reporting that the influential Formula One Teams Association (meeting on Thursday in London) is debating the idea with the sport's governing body.

"The teams and the FIA are currently discussing the possibility [of three cars] in three years," said the report.

Montezemolo confirmed: "On the question of a third car, we are determined. It would be nice to see a third Ferrari fielded perhaps by a private American team. I'm thinking of a team like Ganassi or Penske."

He said that the current crop of new teams were not adding to the sport and failing to match the potential of their drivers.

"If a team does not have the money to be in formula one, they can go to GP2," Montezemolo said. "It is disheartening to see someone like [Jarno] Trulli many seconds behind. Think what Jarno could do with a Ferrari given to his team."

Italian Trulli currently drives for Team Lotus, which finished its debut season as the best placed new team in 10th. Previously, some teams - notably Williams - were opposed to three car teams, but Montezemolo insists that more and more members of the F1 paddock are coming round to the idea.

"[Bernie] Ecclestone agrees and [Frank] Williams, who was against it before, understands now. Don't you think it would be nice to see a team like Penske or Ganassi deploy a Ferrari with an American driver?"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.