Ex-Ferrari boss Montezemolo slams team's 'climate' with cheeky comment

Former Ferrari president Luca Montezemolo has delivered a sharp critique of the team's current leadership, using a cheeky comment to highlight their prolonged struggles. When asked if Ferrari or a local soccer team would win a title first, Montezemolo quipped that Bologna would prevail due to the "current climate in Maranello." The remark underscores the immense pressure and frustration surrounding a team now in its longest-ever championship drought.

Why it matters:

Montezemolo isn't just any critic; he's the former president who oversaw Ferrari's last drivers' championship in 2007. His public comments carry significant weight and reflect a growing sentiment of impatience from the Tifosi and motorsport insiders. It signals a belief that the issues at Maranello may run deeper than just the car's performance, pointing to potential instability or a lack of clear direction at the top.

The details:

• The Cheeky Jab: Montezemolo's comment, "With the current climate in Maranello, Bologna will win first," was a pointed reference to the F1 team's struggles. Bologna, a local soccer club, hasn't won a league title since 1964.
• The Drought: Ferrari is enduring its longest title drought in its history. The team hasn't won a drivers' championship since Kimi Räikkönen's 2007 campaign under Montezemolo, and its last constructors' title was in 2008.
• On-Track Struggles: The 2025 season was particularly bleak, with the team failing to secure a single race victory and managing only seven podium finishes across the entire 24-race calendar.
• Previous Criticism: This isn't an isolated incident. Montezemolo recently described the current Ferrari leadership as "soulless" and lacking stability, specifically pointing to the operational environment surrounding team principal Fred Vasseur.

Looking Ahead:

Montezemolo's comments add to the mounting pressure on Vasseur and the entire Ferrari leadership. While the team is undoubtedly working to turn its fortunes around, such public criticism from a revered figure can impact morale and amplify external scrutiny. The focus for Maranello now will be to silence the doubters with results on track, starting with the development of their 2026 challenger and proving that the "climate" is indeed changing for the better.