By Jay
January 4 2011

Ferrari's Formula One team principal Stefano Domenicali has admitted he thought of resigning after the team’s failure in Abu Dhabi.

He, however, said that he now believes he is still the "right man" to lead the team from Maranello.

Speaking in an interview with La Repubblica he said, “After Abu Dhabi I raised the issue [of resignation] to myself. I wondered if it was right or not, if I stayed. But I came to the conclusion that resigning would be a mistake. I know the team and I think I am the right person to capitalise on all that we have sown in recent months. From an organisational point of view, in Maranello, we have changed almost everything and I am sure we will soon see the results of the hard work.”

Fernando Alonso lost the title in Abu Dhabi after an ill time pitstop, while he had arrived at the GP with a nine point lead and confident of winning the championship.

Domenicali said he never feared being shown the door but admits that he considered resigning his post at the helm Formula 1's most famous team.

Asked if he had any nightmares after the Abu Dhabi, Domenicali relied, “No nightmares. I fell asleep only on Tuesday, two days later.”

He added, “In a position like mine at Ferrari, you have to be ready for anything. Especially if after two years you fail to bring home some results. From this point of view, I always felt a great support from the president of the company and shareholders. And I’ve always worked with the desire to reciprocate this trust.”

He explained, “The mistake was huge and has produced devastating effects. But in a normal race it would be a normal error. Now, you must not jettison everything, even good things, because of that mistake."

“The bad things [in 2010] were mainly two: the car, not as fast as Red Bull and the mistake of Abu Dhabi.”

He also said there would be a changes in the team, “We will be making some changes and will announce these officially very soon,” he said.

Domenicali almost resigned

Discussion started by Ferrari (IP Logged), 04/01/2011 10:54

Ferrari
04/01/2011 10:54

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FrankAlfa
04/01/2011 14:15

Well my personal take on what happened at the last race was Ferrari had a very poor performance from both the Trackside Management and Trackside Engineering. In the high stakes game of Formula One, Ferrari has a great deal to lose when they get it so very wrong on the race track. They, more then anyone, must show themselves to be the best at all times! If I were Luca, I would have made the personnel changes that were required and be done with it. How long do you stay with an underperforming coach??? That is the question!

Forza Ferrari!!!!

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sessions
04/01/2011 16:43

Yep, No major loss (maybe beneficial) if he would have hit the bricks. Close or almost only counts in horse-shoes.

sessions

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f2005
05/01/2011 00:22

I share your sentiments Frank on this issue

The fact that he says it would have been normal to make that mistake anywhere else shows Stefano is in need of the psychological help and not the team

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redalert
05/01/2011 05:36

Stefano (after the GP and failed strategy): OMG, i should quit, how can i make such mistake?

after 2 sleepless nights and pondering over -

Stefano: Isn't it similar to one of the several mistakes i made during the whole season.

OMG, it's just natural, just another race. The team would surely overlook this, like before. They love me. I would not quit.

Now, for some smart lines for the media....hmmmm, hmmm......will not quit, ferrari passion, look forward, blah blah blah?

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Nick Samuel
05/01/2011 05:40

Quote:

FrankAlfa
Well my personal take on what happened at the last race was Ferrari had a very poor performance from both the Trackside Management and Trackside Engineering. In the high stakes game of Formula One, Ferrari has a great deal to lose when they get it so very wrong on the race track. They, more then anyone, must show themselves to be the best at all times! If I were Luca, I would have made the personnel changes that were required and be done with it. How long do you stay with an underperforming coach??? That is the question!
Forza Ferrari!!!!

Frank,
The correct decison has been made and a measured one at that. Gradual and subtle changes is what is required and is being done.

Ferrari reshuffles engineering staff

Pat Fry replacing Chris Dyer as head of race track engineering

Quote:

The biggest change comes with former McLaren engineer Pat Fry replacing Chris Dyer as head of race track engineering with immediate effect. Dyer's new role at the team will be resolved in the next few days.
Ferrari has also confirmed the signing of former Red Bull Racing and McLaren member Neil Martin, who heads up the new Operations Research department. He will report directly to technical director Aldo Costa.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:01:05:05:45:57 by Nick Samuel.

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PHP
05/01/2011 11:39

scapegoat?

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f2005
05/01/2011 13:16

Quote:

PHP
scapegoat?

Not at all. Alonso feels the close ties to Schumi hindered his judgement. Next on the list is Massa who blatantly under performed on purpose to ensue El Nano failed

It's like he switched off after Germany.... Oops that was when he was told to be no2

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FrankAlfa
05/01/2011 14:42

@ Nick,

Excellent news to hear that Pat Fry will takeover the Trackside Engineering!

Forza Ferrari!

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Hall_Green_Wolf
05/01/2011 14:57

Not at all. Alonso feels the close ties to Schumi hindered his judgement. Next on the list is Massa who blatantly under performed on purpose to ensue El Nano failed

How could massa have helped nando more, he was no match for the bulls and would only have taken more points off nando with better finishes. Excuses excuses.

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tamotu
05/01/2011 16:15

HE COULD HAVE DRIVEN IN TO THEM ALA VETTEL ON BUTTON

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Hall_Green_Wolf
05/01/2011 16:47

So thats how you want to see a wdc won eh, pah!

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tamotu
05/01/2011 17:00

i never said thats how i want to see it done (the caps were an accident then i couldnt be bothered to change them) just saying that there were other options for massa to help alonso than taking points of alonso by driving faster

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Hall_Green_Wolf
05/01/2011 17:40

Fair do's.

Problem is massa could not get near them to take them out anyway.

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f2005
05/01/2011 20:41

Quote:

Hall_Green_Wolf
Not at all. Alonso feels the close ties to Schumi hindered his judgement. Next on the list is Massa who blatantly under performed on purpose to ensue El Nano failed
How could massa have helped nando more, he was no match for the bulls and would only have taken more points off nando with better finishes. Excuses excuses.

Good point, but that is what Ferrari wanted so that al least they could be swapping positions lol

Just saying that there is a Ferrari Schumi detox going on

Dyer at least understood Kimi to help Ferrari win a WDC by looking in his eyes

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Hall_Green_Wolf
05/01/2011 22:58

I reckon kimi would have done alright in last years ferrari.

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tamotu
05/01/2011 23:26

Quote:

Hall_Green_Wolf
Fair do's.
Problem is massa could not get near them to take them out anyway.

he could have slowed down a little bit and took them out as they tried to lap

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turboturtle
06/01/2011 02:53

so, massa almost wins the title, alonso almost wins the title, and luca almost resignes.

actual regards tt

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PHP
06/01/2011 04:48

and stefano almost resigned, but we are always stuck with ferrari

pat fry would be a good addition, hopefully the number of mistakes comes down from the pitwall.

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Jay
06/01/2011 09:48

Pat Fry and Martin Neil are both former Mclaren strategy team members, Neil was with the mclaren for 6 years from 2001-07 after which he was with redbull until now.

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