Ferrari Invites Online Critics to Interview Domenicali

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is generally known as an insular team that ignores critics, but it invited two vocal critics of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team to the headquarters in Maranello to take a tour of the workshop and interview with team principal Stefano Domenicali. Riccardo Verdelli and Gian Maria Lamberti were selected by Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport because of how vocal the two of them have been on social media in criticizing the team’s choices.

Verdelli and Lamberti got to meet with Domenicali for an hour to ask they questions that they wanted about the team.

“I don’t like it when after a Grand Prix, there are incorrect jibes aimed at Red BullRed BullAustria, 2004 > present12 models
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that then fall apart. And then there’s Alonso complaining about his car after every race. I’d like to see him get his ears pulled about that, but instead you almost seem to share his sentiment,” said Verdelli.

Domenicali responded that he believes in sportsmanship and congratulates the winning team every race no matter who wins. The team does make digs at Red Bull, but it is a way of relieving tension within the team. He says that he will defend the team no matter what publicly, even if he is yelling at drivers or engineers behind closed doors.

“What has Red Bull got that you haven’t? I’ve heard talk of strange mappings,” asked Lamberti in regards to how well the Renault-powered cars have been performing in the last few races.

Domenicali responded: “Everyone is trying to work that out. But it’s pointless make accusations if there is no proof. The FIA can check the control unit, and if they find nothing than Red Bull is obviously doing a good job.”

He also admitted that the team has not been able to give Alonso a title-winning car in the world championship. Vettel has just had a better car. He backs Alonso completely and cites that he nearly won the championship twice.

After the interview, the two men took a tour of the Ferrari museum in Maranello.