Statement on Ferrari website lashes out against Toro Rosso "indiscretion"
Sour grapes much? Both of Italy's Formula One teams had to switch drivers mid-season during the year: Scuderia Toro Rosso (because Sebastien Bourdais wasn't working out) and Scuderia Ferrari (due to Felipe Massa injury). However, due to the comprehensive ban on in-season testing, neither could put their replacements into the cockpits of their F1 cars until the following grand prix weekend. So STR's newcomer Jaime Alguersuari was thrown straight into the deep end to sink or swim, while Ferrari, for its part, has been unable to give a returning Michael Schumacher any seat time in the new car. Not that the Maranello squad didn't try – their request for a one-time exemption was opposed by Williams, Red Bull and Toro Rosso. Now a message has appeared on the Ferrari website lashing out at the junior Toro Rosso team.
The statement calls out STR – which, it's worth noting, has used Ferrari customer engines for these past three seasons – as a "team that hasn't won anything for years and yet didn't pass over the opportunity to demonstrate once more a lack of spirit of fair play", while noting that Ferrari had given its consent for an exceptional test for Alguersuari. Ouch. (For the record, though, Toro Rosso won the Italian Grand Prix last year.) We would have to assume the message was somehow posted by a rogue with access to the Ferrari website, but that only begs the question as to why, several days later, it still hasn't been taken down. Follow the link to read the message in full on the Ferrari website.
[Source: Ferrari | Image: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Neil 9:06AM (8/10/2009)
Wasn't the statement about a team not winning anything in years about Williams and not STR?
Reply
Neil 9:08AM (8/10/2009)
This article has it right.
http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5473078,00.html
Ronman 2:56AM (8/11/2009)
It was about Williams, not STR.... Ferrari would never forget the STR won Monza last year....
I suggest, will all due respect to Autoblog, that whoever wrote this article be a little more up to date if he is to report about F1
Ronman 2:59AM (8/11/2009)
On another note, Ferrari are in dire need to grow up, their quoted statement about Williams, was utterly childish and completely unprofessional.
they are multiple world champions supporting a 7 time World Champion comeback, he doesn't need the extra time in the car, he's perfectly capable of kicking ass despite the twisted neck and even if the new car steers from the back. He's SHUMACHER....
Carlos 9:13AM (8/10/2009)
Someone call the wambulance
Reply
Majarvis 9:19AM (8/10/2009)
Autoblog, you're a LITTLE late on this...
Reply
josephbaratta 10:32PM (8/10/2009)
Ferrari's angst, misplaced though it was, was actually directed at Williams which, it is suspected, was also behind the denial to allow Jaime to test for STR.
Reply
longbowmkii 9:20AM (8/10/2009)
nowhere on the ferrari site concerning this matter is williams mentioned. it is unclear exactly who it means, since williams is the only team opposed who hasnt won.
it doesn't really matter. someone up in maranello needs some vagisil quick. that sand sounds like its getting them quite inflamed and uncomfortable.
Reply
ufgrat 10:00AM (8/10/2009)
At the time Ferrari updated their site, Williams was the only team that had said "No" to Schumacher testing.
Spudwest 9:23AM (8/10/2009)
Old news. And Neil is right. The statement was issued in response to a Williams statement on the issue, before STR and Toro Rosso had pronounced.
But, regardless, the point stands that Ferrari can be bitchier than a menstruating 14-year old schoolgirl.
Reply
Darmanos 9:51AM (8/10/2009)
Oh c'mon AB! that statement was made about Williams, and they are right, those guys didn't win anything for years (actually since Montoya left i think :p), were drunk or something? :p jocking, good job though, i like ur site!
Reply
peterwhitelaw.bt 1:41PM (8/10/2009)
And in other breaking news, GM has gone bust and Michael Jackson is dead.
Just as up to date as this story.But far more factually accurate.
Reply
Ashish 10:17AM (8/10/2009)
Autoblog -- you are so out of touch on F1. Its not even funny .. days old news, and so misinterpreted. Read around before posting such hogwash ..
Reply
hashiryu 10:32AM (8/10/2009)
"Fair Play" is exactly what happened when they where not allowed to test. STR got no test, why should an exception be made for Ferrari?
And Yes, they did lash out against Williams as well.
And again, Yes Autoblog, you are late.
Reply
egs 10:47AM (8/10/2009)
little does anyone know this, but ferrari has a secret underground track below the maranello factory where michael has been testing each car and confirming settings.
Reply
Santiago Canepa 11:18AM (8/10/2009)
Late and wrong facts... that statement was intended for Williams, not STR.....
Reply
Dustin 2:27PM (8/10/2009)
I highly doubt it was a "rogue with access to the Ferrari website." I would have an easier time believing it was Di Montezemolo himself.
Reply
Kyle D 2:44PM (8/10/2009)
I'll skip the senseless bashing of AB, since it's entirely unfair and not really worth the trouble.
I will NEVER skip a chance to bash on Ferrari F1, though. Every time someone finds an advantage or denies them one, Ferrari is on the case; they'll be the first to whine to the stewards or the FIA when their cars don't win, then they'll turn around and be the first to try and get an advantage for their drivers. Remember the diffuser brawl at the open of the season? Ferrari were the leading voice against the double-diffuser because they didn't have it, and they were being beat by it. Once Red Bull (without the double-diffuser) took a win, Ferrari shut their mouths quick.
So, Schumi needs a test to get used to the car? How about practice at Valencia? He'll have three hours with the car Friday and 90 minutes Saturday before qualifying. Plus, we'll really find out how good of a driver he is -- if he's as good as many claim, he should be able to tame the car.
Reply
sublime.intervention 4:10PM (8/10/2009)
This picture reminds me of just how glad I am slicks came back. Grooved tyres looked so stupid.
As far as the article goes... You can't blame RB and STR, they're new boy was denied a test by Williams and because of that, when Shuey requested a test, they rightfully refused (as the rules state).
If they really think it's wrong, they should be flaming at Williams.
Reply
JSams4131 4:26PM (8/10/2009)
Wrong information and definately roughly a week old..
But despite Ferrari's comments...they were in favor of letting Jamie Alguer(whatever) test. but I agree that if your not going to let Jamie A. test..sure as hell, Dhumacher needs no testing whatsoever relatively speking..I'm a big fan of Ferrari and McLaren in F1 but , rules are rules and MS will do just fine.
Reply