25.04.2004 FERRARI PRESIDENT LUCA DI MONTEZEMOLO REFLECTS ON JENSON BUTTON'S POLE, VALENTINO ROSSI'S RECENT F1 TEST AND AYRTON SENNA AT IMOLA

Extra support for the team arrived in the shape of Luca di Montezemolo, President of the Ferrari Maserati Group.

The missed chance of pole, which went to Jenson Button, denied the President some extra joy but Montezemolo declared that this uncertainty was the beauty of the sport.

' As the Italian team we always try to be in pole for this race but it can't always happen. Until the second split Michael was ahead. What happened after is what sport is all about.

'However, we have two teams in the first two rows and this is a sign of our strength and competitiveness. Now, all that remains to be said is 'may the best team win' and we hope this will be Ferrari.'

'I have to take my hat off to Jenson Button. It is important that young drivers come to the fore. He deserved his pole position', continued Montezemolo.

Prompted by the questions of the massed journalists, the President then reflected on Valentino Rossi's day with Schumacher. 'Valentino approached the test with great professionalism and enthusiasm and I am pleased that he had his chance of a drive. I invited him to Maranello back in December. If in future he wants to try again, he is more than welcome.'

Many wanted to know how the distance between the two world champions was transformed into warmth and affection. 'I would say that between Michael and Valentino there was a 'delayed' immediate mutual respect.

'There is not that much in common between a German from Kerpen and someone from Tavullia in the Marche. I am referring of course to a fundamental difference because on a professional level both are highly talented, sticklers for detail and very intelligent. In every sport, to be the best you have to use your head.'

The journalists also wanted Montezemolo's reactions to the proposals advanced yesterday by the FIA president, Max Mosley, on the rule changes to come into effect from 2008.

'When you talk of rule changes that regard safety, I am always in favour. As for the rest, these have to be discussed. The changes that were introduced specifically to hinder Ferrari have not worked. I think we have to evaluate whether we should improve safety for the interest of the public and, more generally, for the interest of Formula 1.

'The current agreement runs to 2007 and we have to decide what happens after. Up until now we have taken decisions as a group but in future we could decide things individually.'

In a Grand Prix that takes place ten years after the death of Aryton Senna, Montezemolo reminded those gathered that Senna himself wanted to go on to drive for Ferrari.

'I recall meeting him at Villa D'Este at the Monza Grand Prix. I also spoke to him before a Grand Prix at San Marino at a time when we were at a crucial stage regarding the use of electronics in F1 cars. It was a time when active suspension was all the rage and he showed some affinity with our stance. He said to me: 'I want to end my career trying to win something with Ferrari'. I replied that I would be pleased for that to be the case.'