Interview with Stefano Domenicali

Today, during the press conference held on the occasion of Wrooom 2010, the Formula 1 and MotoGp press ski meeting traditionally held in Madonna di Campiglio, Stefano Domenicali spoke about his outlook for the new season, thanking the Scuderia Ferrari’s main sponsor for this extraordinary event, which, over its 20 editions, has made a remarkable dent in the world of communication and sports events.

Talking about the direction the team is heading and concentrating its strength with the upcoming season in sight, research in terms of reliability is one of the dominant issues: “Considering the problems we had in some of the last seasons it will be fundamental to start with the reliability, relying immediately on a good performance and continuing the car’s development until the end of the season. We’ll present the car on 28 January in Maranello with a ceremony dedicated to the media and to our partners, while the fans can follow the presentation live on Ferrari.com. Unfortunately the new context regarding the rules foresees just four test sessions in February and at the moment it’s impossible to determine where we are compared to the others. The team is working hard and there’s the will to get back to winning.”

The Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal explained that he has complete trust in the official drivers’ couple, renewed with the arrival of Fernando Alonso. "Just like Felipe Fernando is strong and aggressive and he already was able to interpret the Team’s requirements, thanks to his numerous visits in Maranello. We hope to provide them with a competitive car.”

As far as the changes regarding the rules are concerned Domenicali said that the F1 Commission will meet on 1 February, ahead of the foreseen agenda, to give the world of F1 the time to assimilate the novelties, which will be discussed and made official. There will be further modifications of how the points in the Championship will be assigned and possible changes regarding the show’s improvement on the agenda. Asked about the safety level on the track with cars filled with petrol Stefano replied: "I don’t think that more petrol on board will be dangerous, but it will be the different number of pit stops and the consequential congestion of the pit lane, which will make the difference."

A propos the Schumacher case Domenicali admits that what happened has left a mark on an emotional level for the fans, asking them not to forget how much Michael has done for Ferrari and how much the Scuderia from Maranello has done for him. "He decided to accept this challenge so I think that he is convinced that he has the possibility to prevail, confirming the confidence we had in him after Massa’s accident. Now he’s a competitor and we’ll give it our all to be ahead of him, as we do with all the others, too. For the whole Team his decision is a further stimulus. Naturally seeing him yesterday with the red helmet he wore when he was with us, it seems that also he has some difficulties drawing a line under the past.”