Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has hit out against Formula 1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone, after the 82-year-old described Ferrari’s written letter to the FIA with regards to Sebastian Vettel’s overtake on Jean-Eric Vergne during the Brazilian Grand Prix as a joke.
During the opening laps of the season finale around Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit, eventual World Champion Sebastian Vettel overtook the Toro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne down the back straight. Initially it was believed the overtake in question was carried out under yellow flag conditions, however it was later confirmed many days after the event that the overtake was in fact legal, with a green flag being shown prior to the green light.
Ferrari requested clarification on the matter by writing to the sport’s governing body the FIA, with the Scuderia seeking an in-depth explanation on Sebastian Vettel’s overtake during the race. Bernie Ecclestone strongly disapproved with this letter, stating the whole affair as a compete joke, which has overshadowed what was a highly entertaining season finale. However, Mr. Ecclestone’s comments on Ferrari have come back to haunt him, with Luca di Montezemolo hitting back at the 82-year-old.
"Since some people have used the expression ’It’s a joke’ in recent days, I would like to say that this is the real ’joke’.” Explained Luca di Montezemolo during the Ferrari World Finals, “Yes, I’m referring to one of Ecclestone’s phrases: my father always taught me that you have to have respect your elders, above all when they reach the point that they can no longer control their words. So I will stop there. Certainly, old age is often incompatible with certain roles and responsibilities."
Luca di Montezemolo issued his full congratulations to World Champion Sebastian Vettel, before insisting that he and Ferrari fully except the FIA’s explanation on the German’s controversial overtake on the Toro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne. The Scuderia aim to return in 2013 with much more competitiveness, with hopes they can snatch the Championship crown away from Vettel and Red Bull.
"Congratulations go to Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull because they won and we are happy to congratulate winners, hoping and wishing that next year we are on the receiving end of these compliments," continued Luca di Montezemolo. “As for the yellow flag saga, we took the simplest and most linear route, by asking the Federation to look into it, making it clear that we would accept their decision and that’s what we did."
With the FIA clarifying the legality of Sebastian Vettel’s overtake and Ferrari excepting this explanation, everyone involved will be hoping this is the end of the Sebastian Vettel overtaking saga. Next season will undoubtedly see Ferrari return with a vengeance, but will Red Bull be able to fend off the prancing horse?
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