Károly Méhes catches up with legendary former Ferrari crew boss and govt, Luca di Montezemolo, to debate his time on the Scuderia and the way he would repair the crew’s present woes.
This 12 months marks 50 years since Niki Lauda’s first championship with Ferrari and 25 years since Michael Schumacher’s first championship with Ferrari, each of which occurred underneath the management of Luca di Montezemolo. Károly Méhes was granted an unique video interview with di Montezemolo on June 10, 2025.
What was your response when Enzo Ferrari supplied you the position of supervisor of the Ferrari Formulation 1 crew on the age of 26?
I began as Enzo Ferrari’s private assistant in 1973. From the outset, he was at all times asking what I might do to reorganize the race crew. He appreciated my recommendation and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he informed me that I used to be able to take the job as a crew supervisor. Sure, I used to be solely 26 and it was very brave of him, I have to admit. No person thought it was attainable to be the supervisor of an F1 crew like Ferrari at solely 26 years of age!
Regardless of being younger, I already understood the priorities of the restructuring and since Ferrari was already in a extremely troublesome scenario, it was simpler to some extent than taking on a profitable operation. We managed to realize large issues shortly. We narrowly missed the Championship in 1974 on the final race in Watkins Glen after which in 1975, we received with Niki Lauda. We misplaced by one level in 1976 due to Niki’s accident, however received once more in 1977.
You have been promoted to a brand new position at FIAT in 1976 and changed as supervisor of the Ferrari F1 crew by Daniele Audetto. Wasn’t it disappointing for you to not proceed?
Audetto was appointed as a result of I steered him to Enzo Ferrari! I knew him very nicely as a result of he was my navigator after I was rallying with Lancia within the early Seventies. Audetto labored on the monitor however I nonetheless was working on the manufacturing unit in Maranello a number of days per week. This association lasted till the tip of 1977.
How do you bear in mind Niki Lauda right this moment?
Niki and I grew to become associates from the time we began working collectively. I really useful Enzo rent him on the finish of 1973. He was a younger driver, I used to be a younger supervisor. We have been very profitable collectively. After I got here again to Ferrari on the finish of 1991, I instantly requested him to change into my guide. It was a little bit bit like my relationship with Enzo Ferrari again within the early Seventies.
Niki was the primary one who spoke with Michael Schumacher’s supervisor [about him joining the team], as a result of we didn’t wish to put Ferrari within the entrance line. Niki had these talks on behalf of me. All in all, Niki was probably the greatest associates of my life. One can have many good associates, however finest associates only some.
Once you grew to become president of Ferrari in 1991, the F1 crew was within the doldrums, nearly as dangerous as in 1973. It might take nearly ten years to carry the crew again to the highest. How irritating was this era?
In Formulation 1, the whole lot takes time. Modifications don’t occur the subsequent day. The scenario in 1991 was very, very – I say it thrice – very troublesome. Ferrari hadn’t received a title since Jody Scheckter in 1979. The organisation, the tradition and spirit have been all in dangerous form. Formulation 1 was getting into a brand new period within the Nineteen Nineties with the introduction of composite supplies, quite a lot of electronics and aerodynamics changing into extra vital. However Ferrari’s tradition was nonetheless very a lot rooted within the mechanical previous, the place the engine and gearbox have been extra vital.
I needed to change not solely personnel, but additionally push everybody within the crew in the direction of modern strategies and supplies, and to construct a wind tunnel. My plan was to have a transparent organisation, the place everyone knew their very own duties and obligations, and to rent a number of gifted folks for aerodynamics and electronics. Our intention was to enhance our outcomes yearly. It’s true that Michael didn’t win the drivers’ championship till 2000, however we shouldn’t overlook that we received the constructors’ championship in 1999. We delivered higher outcomes from 1993 onwards, and from 1997-1999, we solely misplaced the championship within the final race.
How vital was it to carry Michael Schumacher to Maranello? Wouldn’t it have been attainable to realize the title with Alesi or Berger, otherwise you wanted a driver of Michael’s calibre?
I’ve to thank Alesi and Berger for his or her efforts driving automobiles which weren’t that aggressive. We shouldn’t overlook that Berger had a win in Germany 1994, and Alesi received in Canada in 1995. These successes have been indicators that Ferrari was coming again, and so they have been crucial for the morale of the crew, and the tifosi, too.
It was the correct time for Michael to hitch the crew in 1996. We already had a brand new group in place with Jean Todt in cost and lots of people behind him who have been gifted and up for a brand new problem. We had the idea for a aggressive automobile, after which we solely wanted a prime driver, like Schumacher. We have been certain Michael was going so as to add one thing particular. His first win in Barcelona within the moist was proof of this. And he was already preventing for the championship in 1997.
What made Michael so particular?
Michael was particular behind the wheel, one of many all-time greats in Formulation 1 historical past. However for my part, how a driver acts exterior the automobile can also be crucial. And Michael was at all times very near the crew. He united the crew round him. When he received, he celebrated with the crew, and when he misplaced, he commiserated with the crew. Not all drivers are like this.
How do you bear in mind the golden years of Ferrari between 2000-2004, when Ferrari received 5 consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ championships?
We have been very dominant throughout that interval. In 2002, Michael secured the championship at Magny Cours, in July. That was tremendous robust! Success in Formulation 1 occurs when many alternative components come collectively, such because the crew construction, workers, working ambiance, automobile and drivers. On the final level, it’s vital to have a primary and a quantity two driver. Irvine, Barrichello and Massa have been excellent drivers, however Michael was clearly the primary.
I’m additionally very proud that we have been capable of win with out Michael. We received with Kimi in 2007 and have been very near successful once more in 2008 with Felipe. We are able to say that even with out Michael, Ferrari was very aggressive throughout these years. The crew was nearly good when it comes to personnel, automobile and ambiance. We infrequently had any disagreements as a crew.
I feel that from 1997 to 2009, Ferrari was the most effective crew by far. We have been additionally very shut in 2010 and 2012, solely shedding the championship with Alonso on the final race. My intention was at all times to keep up Ferrari on the prime of the game.
Lastly, let’s flip to the current. How painful has it been so that you can see Ferrari battle in recent times?
For me it’s a large, large ache. I used to be with Ferrari for 23 years. That is about half the working lifetime of a median individual. I understand how it ought to be. At present I see a crew with out actual management, with out spirit and with out ardour. I don’t wish to see a Ferrari with a livery aside from all pink [like in Miami this year]. For me it’s a joke. I used to be informed that this was for sponsorship functions. However in my time, it was the other. Sponsors would pay tribute to Ferrari, not the opposite manner round.
I additionally heard that the choice to rent Lewis Hamilton was made for advertising causes. I’ve nothing towards Hamilton. I respect him and his report, however I feel Ferrari ought to rent a driver as a result of they’re aggressive and powerful, not due to advertising.
It is extremely unhappy to see Ferrari comfortable to realize third place on the rostrum. I anticipate extra, however I’m additionally sufficiently old to know that it’s troublesome if you’re half a second off the tempo in Formulation 1. I wish to see Ferrari preventing for the championship! Third is just not our place, we have to be first!
When you have been to be made President of Ferrari’s race crew once more, what would you do in your first day of labor?
I’ve to say that I used to be disenchanted to not be referred to as by anybody at Ferrari after my departure, not even for some recommendation. I left in 2014, which is a very long time in the past now, and Ferrari has by no means been able to win the championship since.
If I used to be referred to as once more to guide Ferrari, I might summon everybody collectively and inform them that I wish to see enthusiasm and keenness from each considered one of them. I might additionally need everybody to very clearly perceive who’s accountable for what. Everybody should know their roles and obligations, and have very clear priorities.
Secondly, I might wish to pinpoint the areas of weak spot and start engaged on a plan to ship a aggressive automobile and crew. Ferrari wants a robust chief, somebody who can’t solely carry the crew collectively but additionally struggle for the crew in entrance of the game’s authorities.
