Mario Andretti berates Ferrari and gives advice

Mario Andretti berates Ferrari and gives advice

Interviewed by planetf1.com Mario Andretti, the legendary “Bigfoot” world champion in 1978 at the wheel of the equally legendary Lotus 79 ground effect car, severely criticized Ferrari’s current sports management, wishing for the return to the role of president of the man who characterized the golden age of the Maranello-based manufacturer in Formula 1 in the 2000s, Luca di Montezemolo.

“Ferrari needs to bring Montezemolo back, that’s my opinion,” said the 83-year-old Andretti. “I feel bad for both Charles and Carlos. Charles is frustrated with what is going on there. It’s hard to understand him because it seems that something, even strategically, they are not making all the best decisions. That shows frustration to some extent, but the drivers somehow seem to not have enough of a say in what’s going on.”

“This is my opinion from the outside, that’s all. Anyone who is a fan of Formula 1, they have to pay attention to Ferrari – it’s always something, there’s always a soft spot for them. And, right now, I’m disappointed in the management of the racing team, very disappointed. The drivers are not the problem, they I think are capable of winning.”

Andretti, who was born in Istria when it was still part of Italy and then moved with his family to the United States, drove 12 Grands Prix with Ferrari between 1971 and 1982, winning one, in South Africa, his first behind the wheel of a Cavallino car, and standing on the lowest step of the podium after starting from pole position in the penultimate one, at Monza eleven years later.