Montezemelo: We Want Our Title Back

Just a day after Lewis Hamilton and McLaren Mercedes snatched the Formula One drivers title from the grasp of Kimi Raikkonen and Scuderia Ferrari the president, Luca Di Montezemelo is firing up his gears of war for the 2009 Formula One season.

Montezemelo congratulated Hamilton on his victory and recognised him as a "very powerful rival indeed."

The Italian added, "He'll have the number one on his car next season, but he can rest assured of one thing: we'll be doing our very best to put it back on a Ferrari [for 2010]."

Hamilton snatched victory from the very jaws of defeat on Sunday evening, passing the Toyota of Timo Glock on the last lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix to finish fifth, the bare minimum of what he was required to do.

Felipe Massa won his home Grand Prix and believed he had won the championship also but it wasn't to be because 17.5 seconds after Massa crossed the finish line in P1, Hamilton came across in P5. Montezemelo said that it was the most exciting finish to a season he has seen, even though his man did not win.

Ferrari managed to retain the constructors crown, which they have held for eight times in the space of 10 years, a magnificent feat. He sent out his regards to 2008 runner-up Felipe Massa by saying, "Felipe in particular is in my thoughts as he crossed the finish line yesterday as world champion only to see the title slip through his fingers a few seconds later...he is a great man and a great champion."

One question remains though, Which driver will Ferrari favour in 2009?

It is obvious that Montezemelo has feelings and regards for Felipe Massa at the moment and hailing him as a great champion is no lie. Many expect Massa to be at the forefront of the Ferrari charge next season but what does the Iceman have to say about this?

"............................................................" Thanks Kimi.

But on a more serious note, Stefano Domenicali has tipped to 2007 world champion to bounce back after a failing to defend his title. Raikkonen looked likely to retain his crown early on in the season, with strong performance up until the Monaco Grand Prix, it all seemed to go downhill from there.

Domenicali admitted that it had been a tough year for Raikkonen but senses a Valentino Rossi style comeback (dominating the season after missing out in previous years).

"A lot of people were talking last season about Valentino Rossi being finished this year, and he has actually done a lot, so I am expecting the same kind of approach (from Raikkonen) in 2009."

Kimi didn't say much as usual but he was quoted in the post race press conference yesterday as saying, "A not very positive season for me has come to an end, but I will do all I can to make up for it next year."

So it's all offensive in the Ferrari camp but will they be able to pull a comeback off or will they be stumped by KERS?

Or more importantly, will Lewis Hamilton be just too strong?