Italian businessman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, the former president of Ferrari, has called on the FIA to allow drivers to race more aggressively in the upcoming season.
The governing body of motorsport has faced significant criticism throughout the 2024 F1 season for issuing what many saw as unwarranted penalties, or for applying punishments that were perceived as too harsh. A number of these complaints came directly from the drivers, with one of the most notable instances being Kevin Magnussen’s one-race ban. The Danish driver was handed this penalty after accumulating 12 penalty points over the course of 12 months, making him the first driver to face such a punishment since the introduction of the penalty points system. As a result, Kevin Magnussen missed the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Both Magnussen and several of his fellow competitors expressed frustration over the penalty points he received for incidents they felt did not warrant such a response, leading to calls for the system to be reviewed and clarified. Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has joined these voices in arguing that drivers are being unfairly penalized for relatively minor incidents, such as racing contact and exceeding track limits.
The ex-Ferrari chairman further urged the FIA to refrain from stifling the drivers’ emotions, stressing that they should be encouraged to pursue overtakes without fear of excessive punishment: “F1 is made up of healthy duels,” said Luca di Montezemolo, speaking on the ‘La Politica nel Pallone’ on Radio GR Parlamento – “What would they have done in the duel between [Gilles] Villeneuve and [Rene] Arnoux. Would they have put them in jail?”
This refers to the legendary battle that unfolded in the closing laps of the 1979 French Grand Prix at Dijon, where the former Ferrari and Renault drivers engaged in a thrilling duel. As the race neared its conclusion, they went head-to-head, fiercely contesting each position. Their rivalry reached its peak when they were locked in an intense wheel-to-wheel fight, occasionally making contact with their tires as they pushed each other to the limit. The spectacle became one of the most iconic moments in Formula 1 history, showcasing the raw competitiveness and determination of both drivers.
“I think we are exaggerating, both in terms of physical contact and in going beyond the lines of the track. Formula 1 is becoming a precision watch. We must leave room for emotion, courage and the ability of the drivers who must not look at millimetres. It is one of the points on which to reflect to change things a bit.” – the former Ferrari boss concluded.
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