Exor’s no.1 doesn’t forget the German: “Ferrari is a big family and he is still part of it.” On the Rossa’s ambitions: “We want to win”
From his love for Ferrari, which blossomed from an early age, to Michael Schumacher to the truth about Adrian Newey, the genius who decided to leave Red Bull after 18 years and who could land in Maranello. This is what he talked about John Elkann in an interview given to Corriere della Sera.
John Elkann and his love for the Rossa: childhood memories with Lapo
The president of Ferrari rewinds the tape and recalls that it is the first memory that links him to the Maranello company. “The F40 and my grandfather’s Testarossa. My brother (Lapo, ed.) and I turned them on secretly. The difficult thing wasn’t starting them but managing to get into the garage: for us it was a moment of freedom and satisfaction. We stepped on the accelerator just to hear the noise and we were daydreaming”.
The backstory on Michael Schumacher, Ferrari legend
“I am very linked to the period of Todt and Schumacher” continues Elkann, who then focuses on the German champion, whose health conditions are still subject to the utmost confidentiality more than 10 years after the dramatic skiing accident. “Next year it will be 25 years since the first World Championship he won with Ferrari – explains the CEO of Exor to CorSera -. I already understood how extraordinary he was not only as a driver but as a man. Michael’s teachings are still present in Maranello where he spent a lot of time, even with his children. I was thinking about it the other day at Family Day, where over thirty thousand people participated, never so many. Ferrari is truly a big family. And Michael is still part of it: for me he is not just a champion, but much more: he loved Ferrari and remains much loved by all of us”.
On the possible arrival of Newey and Ferrari’s ambitions
Will the Red Bull genius embrace Ferrari’s cause? Here’s what he said Elkann are New: “There are many evaluations, you have to be careful. The right time to do things must be foundas happened with Hamilton. With him there was a convergence of intent that allowed us to work together. There are many possibilities, Newey or others, you have to carefully evaluate whether the conditions are there.” When will Ferrari win again? “We always work towards that goal: this year we have seen progress and also difficulties. We need to continue growing: a balance must be found between valorizing the many capable people here and the possibility of attracting new talents”.
