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ShareFerrari boss Luca di Montezemolo has been a central character in the FIA-FOTA spat. As president of FOTA, Montezemolo forced FIA to implement a number of FOTA demands for next year's regulations. Here's what he thinks about issues that are affecting Formula One:
On the agreement between FIA and FOTA
We are united in the interests of the sport and I think it was a very positive and constructive agreement. Mainly for the spectators, because the spectators were pissed off with the continued changing of the rules. I have to say that after a month of confrontations we are also pleased to thank the president of the FIA for his decision to leave the FIA in October, to thank him for the work that he has done -- particularly for safety because this was and still is a big priority in Formula 1 and the sport. Formula 1 has done a huge, huge improvement in safety.
On rules for 2010 and beyond
We will keep the 2009 rules the same for everybody -- this is extremely important. We will have stability in F1 at least until the end of 2012. It means no cost, because with stability you have no cost. We also have governance like in the previous years in which the rules come from clear procedure with the F1 Commission. And we will continue as teams, as car manufacturers, to work for important cost reductions as we have already done with success regarding engines and gearboxes. Flavio will also be working with the commercial rights holder to improve the show and the interest in the sport. So our role is in two years, by the end of 2011, to achieve a cost basically like in the 1990s.
On team spirit within FOTA
FOTA is a big collaboration, everybody has worked a lot over the last two weeks, particularly John (Howett) and Flavio (Briatore) have done a fantastic job and I'm happy that all of the other members recognise this.
On FOTA's commitment to F1
One of the important agreements was the commitment from manufacturers and big teams to race and continue to be in Formula One, at least until the end of 2012. So in the past, if somebody was worried, maybe after Honda left or somebody else, not now. The car manufacturers and the big teams will remain in Formula One, and this is the reason why the agreement is important for us to work together for a better future for F1. F1 needs fresh air, needs ideas, needs improvement, working together to achieve this goal.
