F1: Ferrari Has To Hold its Nerve

Formula 1

F1: Ferrari Has To Hold its Nerve - Montezemolo

Luca di Montezemolo doesn't blame Fernando Alonso for recent setbacks...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted October 08, 2012 Balen (BEL)

Track marshals help take Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso (Center) of Spain's car off the track after he crashed in the second turn of the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix. (Photo: Getty Images)

Luca di Montezemolo has given his Ferrari team a pep talk after the disappointment of Fernando Alonso’s first corner retirement at Suzuka.

Montezemolo says Alonso can still win the title if the team holds its nerve.

“It’s at times like these that I want to see the Ferrari I know,” said Montezemolo on the Ferrari website. “A team that is focused and that holds its nerve. I will speak to Fernando by phone soon to give him even more motivation with which to tackle these last five races, with the bit between his teeth, as indeed I expect all the team to do.

“Yesterday’s second place for Felipe (Massa) was very important in this final part of the season when his contribution is even more vital. I expect a huge effort from our engineers who have already shown they are capable of that and we are perfectly aware that this championship is still in our hands.”

Montezemolo pointed out that the two recent disasters in Spa and Suzuka were not the fault of the team or driver.

“We know we can count on the strongest driver around at the moment and it’s only mistakes from others at Spa and again at Suzuka, that have prevented him from having a more comfortable lead over his rivals. Let’s not forget that, but for those two collisions, today Fernando would have had at least 30 points more and that’s a conservative estimate. In sport, as in life, the wheel turns and we must not forget that: recently, it has not done so in a positive way for us, but it does not take much for it to change direction.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.