NOVEMBER 1, 2004

Ferrari success "probably unrepeatable"

FIAT and Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo is admitting that Ferrari's 2004 performance is probably as good as it gets in Grand Prix racing.

"The 2004 season was an exceptional year, probably unrepeatable, given the strength of the competition in Formula 1," he said. "When we won the Drivers' title in 2000, after a 21 year drought, many thought we would spend the next few years celebrating. Instead, we invested, building a strong and united team. We continued to work constantly in design and development, giving it our all. We have a fantastic and stable working group, for whom technology is very important, but more important still is the human element. I really want to thank the entire team: Jean Todt, who leads it, Michael (Schumacher) who has won more than any other driver has ever done with Ferrari; Rubens (Barrichello) who has been a cornerstone of all our Constructors' titles from 2000 onwards. I want to thank those who follow the race, who work in Maranello: everyone, without exception, because this is a collective success which makes me very happy. I am proud to be President of Ferrari, I am proud of this team."