Ferrari chief favours third car

ROME, Nov 6, 2011 (AFP) - Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo wants to see the big teams running a third car in Grand Prix in the future rather than seeing smaller teams being lapped.

Speaking from an event at Mugello, just outside Florence, the Ferrari boss lent his weight to support for teams running a third car.

"I think it would be a lot more interesting to have a third Ferrari or other competitive constructors' cars, managed by smaller teams, on the track rather than having these backmarkers lapping two seconds a lap slower and getting lapped very quickly," said Di Montezemolo.

"A third car would be important for the spectacle and to have more competitive cars."

Di Montezemolo also wants to move away from competitiveness being determined almost exclusively by aerodynamics.

Montezemolo said. "We can be very patient but there are precise conditions for us to continue with our work. We race not just for the publicity it brings us but above all to carry out advanced research aimed at all aspects of our road cars: engine, chassis, mechanical components, electronics, materials and aerodynamics, to such an extent that the technology transfer from track to road has grown exponentially over the past twenty years.

"There are things that need to be changed in the future of Formula One," he added.

"And I would say no to F1 without testing, tests are important."

Montezemolo concluded with the threat that Ferrari could leave the sport if changes are not made.

"We will support our views as we see fit, in the best way possible, but let's be clear, for those who agree, that is fine, but otherwise they will just have to accept it is our position. If Formula 1 still wants Ferrari it must change and go back to being at the cutting edge of research, while always keeping an eye on costs. We are not in Formula 1 as sponsors, we are constructors."

"Formula 1 is still our life, but without Ferrari there is no Formula 1, just as without Formula 1 Ferrari would be different,"