Leo Turini, a veteran of Italian racing journalism, worries that Ferrari traditions may be broken, but tries to drive away these thoughts from himself…
If Ferrari changes the livery of their cars during the Miami race weekend, it wouldn’t shock me. This is the modern understanding of beauty, but also a reference to the 50th anniversary of John Surtees’s championship title.
However, if such approaches become a habit, my attitude (and level of rejection) towards them will change. This is an eternal theme: it is always crucial to find the right balance between business and tradition.
By the way, let me remind my nostalgic friends that the first person to put business at the forefront of Formula 1 was Bernie Ecclestone. Moreover, this happened long before the same thing began in football. Maybe someone has already forgotten. Let me also remind you that Enzo Ferrari, with his visionary gift, never quarreled with Bernie. Although it happened that he argued in order to negotiate more favorable economic conditions for his team.
In general, everything happens for the first time, and regrets supposedly about something lost are unnecessary. Am I the only one who remembers that until 1976 there were no regular television broadcasts of races at all, and before the race in Las Vegas in 1982 no one held a Grand Prix in a parking lot?
These days, Ferrari’s marketing successes are quite obvious: a multi-year contract with HP, the invitation of Lewis Hamilton, a new livery, etc. It’s just that there is less success on the track than we would like, although this is what interests us, including me, most of all.
Let’s switch to another topic: let’s talk about Andrea Kimi Antonelli. I hear rumors that he already has one foot in Formula 1, moreover, his debut could take place already in Imola. But no matter how the “boomerang effect” happened here.
Of course, I am ready with all my heart to support my compatriot, about whom for several years I have heard only the most enthusiastic reviews from various reliable sources. Hopefully the time will come when he will become the heir to the glory of Alberto Ascari, the last Italian world champion.
But I’m worried about Kimi’s young age, and should he immediately be put behind the wheel of a Williams, which is far from the best car? Is there a risk that the guy might be disappointed? I hope Toto Wolff knows what he’s doing.
