Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka

[Carl]

Apr 9, 2024 17:50:30 GMT René said:

Apr 8, 2024 17:27:09 GMT Carl said:

We have to admire our administrator for his devotion and also sympathize.  It can't be easy to love Ferrari

It’s easy to love Ferrari, Carl.

There simply is no other (car) brand and racing team more evocative, beautiful, melancholic, sensual, classy and successful than Ferrari. But yes, this also comes with drama and pain. All part of the passion and beauty.

As I told here many times before, the first season that I followed from start to finish and also the first year I actually visited a race track, was 1979. A very successful year for Ferrari in Formula One. Jody Scheckter World Champion, Gilles Villeneuve second and Ferrari constructors champion. On top of the world. I had no idea then that I had to wait 21 years for another driver’s title, 21 years. My support for the team never wavered though. I love this team. And when they do win… 

René,
          I've always admired Ferrari, the most iconic and legendary team in racing.  I meant that it can't be easy to love Ferrari when their potential is frustrated.  My friend and I stopped in Monza weeks before the Grand Prix in 1970 to purchase tickets and reserve a hotel room. During lunch in the infield restaurant at the autodromo, I kept my eyes open just in case Enzo Ferrari came in with his entourage. He remains the most charismatic and mysterious team owner in F1.

         With mystery and intrigue part of its culture, decisions can be challenging to understand. Why is genetic lineage from Gianni Agnelli crucial? Dynasties are seldom a resounding success.  What did Piero Ferrari contribute beyond a paternal resemblance?  Why was Eugenio Dragoni listened to and Mattia Binotto dismissed?  When the huge banners are unfurled in the Monza grandstands, what about the people underneath who no longer can see?

         I enjoyed every day I spent in Italy, in part due to the emotional generosity of Italians. In a curious way, maybe a tendency to openness makes secrecy harder and gives intrigue added importance when the stakes are high. Prevalere con calma è un concetto straniero a Maranello. Al diavolo la Red Bull e forza Ferrari

Ciao, Carlo

[Carl]

Apr 9, 2024 17:55:18 GMT René said:

And oh, by the way, Ferrari did a good job in Japan. Qualifying was a bit disappointing but the race was executed very well by both drivers. Fred Vasseur will lead this team to new title success. I have no doubt. 

Indeed, Ferrari did very well and I hope for regained momentum that takes them to the top.  

I've had enough of the moral degeneracy at Red Bull and Mercedes. 

[René]

Ferrari is a mystery.

Many success stories, but just as many stories of missed opportunities and inimitably strange decisions. How an intelligent man like Enzo Ferrari did not support his star drivers like John Surtees or Niki Lauda at a certain point is difficult to understand. Or to switch turbo suppliers in the middle of a season while you are involved in a title fight. Incomprehensible.

But as if Enzo's ghost still haunts Maranello, the strange decisions never disappeared and with them many wasted opportunities. 1983, 1985, 1990, but also 2008, 2010, 2012 and perhaps also 2017 and '18. Niki Lauda once said after his first visit to Maranello and seeing all the facilities: "I don't understand why this team isn't champion every year ."

But maybe suffering pain is part of the Ferrari passion.