Former Ferrari President, Luca di Montezemelo, has sharply criticized the International Automobile Federation (FIA). He believes that the global motorsport federation is overly punitive with the numerous penalties given to Formula 1 drivers. “What would they have done in the past in the duel between Gilles Villeneuve and René Arnoux? Thrown them in jail?”
Di Montezemelo argues that the FIA should allow drivers to race more aggressively on the track in the upcoming season. He has urged the FIA, in an interview with Radio GR Parlamento in Italy, not to hinder drivers from expressing their emotions and to encourage them to make overtaking maneuvers.
‘F1 thrives on healthy duels’
“F1 thrives on healthy, sharp duels. What would they have done in the past in the duel between Gilles Villeneuve and René Arnoux? Thrown them in jail?”, said Di Montezemelo, referring to an iconic duel in 1979 during the French Grand Prix. Both drivers were wheel-to-wheel in the final laps, repeatedly colliding with each other’s tires.”The Italian is far from enthusiastic about the application of the rules. “I think we’re going overboard, both in terms of physical contact and exceeding track limits. Formula 1 is becoming a precision watch in this way. We need to leave room for emotion, courage, and the qualities of the drivers, who shouldn’t have to watch every millimeter. This is one of the points we need to think about in order to make some changes.”
Refer to the duel between Villeneuve and Arnoux in 1979 below.”
