What is clear is that Montezemolo was left deeply unhappy by Alonso’s comments
and felt the need to remind the Spaniard of his duties during a phone call
on Monday.
“This is definitely not the time to start arguing over who was responsible for
this or that decision, partly because everything is still possible with nine
Grands Prix to go,” read a story on Ferrari’s website, which revealed that
Montezemolo had asked for “an immediate upping of the tempo, right from Spa,
to start being a contender for victory again, as had been the case up to the
Canadian Grand Prix”.
It continued: “Montezemolo is doing his utmost to ensure that the team has all
the support and resources it needs, starting with the announcement that
James Allison, formerly with Lotus, will join the Maranello team, starting
work already on 1st September.
“However, there is a need to close ranks, without giving in to rash outbursts
that, while understandable in the immediate aftermath of a bad result, are
no use to anyone.
“That was a reference to the latest comments from Fernando Alonso, which did
not go down well with Montezemolo, nor with anyone in the team. So, when
Montezemolo called the Spaniard this morning to wish him a happy birthday,
he also tweaked his ear, reminding him that, “all the great champions who
have driven for Ferrari have always been asked to put the interests of the
team above their own.
“This is the moment to stay calm, avoid polemics and show humility and
determination in making one’s own contribution, standing alongside the team
and its people both at the track and outside it.”
Ferrari also made it clear in the story that they were unhappy with the new
Pirelli tyres introduced in Germany and Hungary, “artificially altering the
hierarchy in the field”.
It warned: “This topic will be the subject of further debate in the near
future.”
Alonso, whose driving has kept Ferrari in contention for the drivers’ title
right up until the final day of two of the last three seasons, did not seem
to perturbed by Montezemolo’s admonishment, at least not publicly. He
tweeted a picture on Monday night of a Spanish omelette he had made for his
birthday.