Ferrari Boss unsure over new street circuits

Luca di Montezemolo

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is concerned that Formula One's new street circuits are bad for the sport as the series builds up to its first night race at the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix next Sunday.

'I have the impression it will be another one of those letdowns where you cannot overtake, like Valencia. Going forward with these circuits heralds a bad future for Formula One,' he told reporters before also criticizing the points system.

'Another absurd thing is that there are only two points between the first and second drivers,' he added, alluding to the 10 points awarded for a race win and eight for second.

Mr. Montezemolo, who was named chairman of the new teams association before last weekend's Italian Grand Prix, would not comment on championship leader Lewis Hamilton's appeal on Monday over the stripping of his Belgium win for cutting a chicane.

However, Mr. Montezemolo did say rules should be respected.

With four races left this season, McLaren's Hamilton leads Ferrari's Felipe Massa by a point with world champion Kimi Raikkonen 21 points behind the Briton and almost out of the title running.

Mr. Montezemolo, whose team lead the constructor standings, backed the Finn to bounce back.

'Kimi is like a centre forward who is not able to score a goal. Sooner or later he will rediscover his touch,' he said.

The Ferrari president remained confident for the future, adding that rain at last week's tests helped the team work on the tire problem which hit them at a soggy Monza last Sunday.

'For the 11th consecutive year Ferrari are fighting for the title. Williams, McLaren, Renault come and go but we are always there,' Mr. Montezemolo said. — Reuters