Stefano Domenicali: “We win together, we lose together” 

Written by David on September 29th, 2008 at 5:26 pmLast Update: September 29th, 2008 at 5:26 pm

Felipe Massa pit stop, 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, 2A few years back Scuderia Ferrari was able to win the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships thanks to the error-free work of the mechanics in the pits. Lately, however, the situation has changed dramatically, just like during Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix. “Historically, during the last ten or 12 years – said Ferrari’s Team Principal Stefano Domenicali -  there were always problems during the pit stops. I remember very well problems with Michael and Rubens. So it’s not true that we have made more mistakes than in the past. Unfortunately, we shouldn’t have them, but that’s another story.”

Domenicali explained the reason of the pit stop incident that cost Felipe Massa the win in Singapore. “Unfortunately there was a mistake. We were not using the electronic system, it was run manually. When there are a lot of cars coming into the pit in a safety car situation, it is better to have the system working like a lollipop but instead of a lollipop you control the green light and unfortunately there was a mistake,” he said.

Despite this, the Italian defended the mechanics’ work in the pits. “I don’t think a lot of people would want to wear the overalls of the guy who has to manage the pit stop. We have to have a lot of respect for these guys. They are not top drivers but part of the team. It is very difficult and they have a lot of pressure.”

“We win together – he continued – we lose together and in that respect the philosophy will not change because of one unfortunate mistake. He felt very bad of course, as you can imagine. Felipe went to see the guy that made the mistake straight away, and he said, OK, look ahead. As I said, we’re always together.”

In regards to the next Grand Prix at Fuji in Japan, Domenicali pointed out the team’s objective. “The objective that we have is clear. We have three races to go, we will approach the last three races aware that we need to finish first and second every time. We have the potential to do so, so the target is very clear. It is not easy, but don’t forget that we have raced in very difficult situations over the last couple of years, and we were sometimes able to win, sometimes unfortunately to lose but the motivation is still the same. The team is very strong; unfortunately you have the moments such as this Sunday but after two hours we were already motivated and looking forward to going to Japan to attack again.”

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