Coletta: "After the title we want certain and equal rules for everyone"
Antonello Coletta, head of Sports Activities of the Ferrari GT, is not completely satisfied with the championship won builders. He asks the WEC to set very precise rules to avoid the controversies of recent times.
The end for Ferrari came a major title, almost unexpected, given how things turned out in the early hours of racing. Gimmi Bruni, at the beginning, from the top of its class was able to take command of operations by the GTE PRO. Then, towards the end of the first stint, the wear of the tires Michelin has forced the Italian rider to raise the white flag against the Aston Martin Vantage. It took a nut screwed badly, a wheel to prance in the middle of the track, to give 488 positions which meant constructors world title. Not enough, however, to make completely satisfied responsible Sports Activities GT Antonello Coletta .
"It was a very difficult championship. In the first race the values were not clear because there was the hiding by opponents. Then we arrived at Le Mans driving home with zero points. We paid dearly but after I think is undeniable that Ferrari has never had a BoP not say on our side but at least that would allow us to fight on equal terms. at the Nurburgring we won but that statement was more the result of the strategy and certainly not for the superiority. the other races have been a real tragedy. Today it went well. to be honest, even though we arrived here in Bahrain with ten points, we did not expect to win the title. But races are like that: sometimes they give you and sometimes they take away " .
Some argue that in the end there is no agreed upon realizing a new car like the 488?
"In fact this is a fact a po'ridicolo. It is a shame to see that in a beautiful and important championship like this come two new cars, a manufacturer in more-ed Ford-and then realize that both titles were in the hands of the older car among those present. i do not do honor to all that there is around. This must be the reference championship. i find it strange that if there is no regulation that allows the entry of cars that introduce new and therefore espouse these standards, are instead placed in conditions appartententi cars to another was not only to compete, which is absolutely right, but they are superior. also very honestly today there was a second difference per lap. Then it is clear that when the competitor takes the margin reduces the pace but this certainly does not hide what are the real forces in the field. I mean it was not possible for anyone to bring the Aston . Before talking to a pilot of the LMP2 and told me that he can not spend them in the straight when he has doppiarle. I think it is the witness of what we have been saying for some time now. "
Whereas the Porsche back in the WEC with a car built for the championship, that Ford should demonstrate in these days of having made the famous 100 specimens and that yours is the only car sold with a road version you are not worried for the future too competitive for your participation at the championship?
"specific: not only produce the 488 road which is located by the dealer. But we also make the GTE for sports clients. This is doubly remarkable. There is to smile to keep from crying. we have built the first car. we have read the rules, we interpreted. So based on our 488 road we started the work, trying to make it competitive for races. Others have done the prototype and still we are waiting to see the bare minimum of road cars, and others said they had made a car that you will never see on the road. Then something is not working. It is now time to sit around a table and set of very strict rules. Today, to start from the cars that come in the league and by the infamous BoP, the situation of the GTE is likely to run away from his hand. It would be a real shame "
"All of us have invested resources and passion to grow this season. Starting with the Ferrari was the first to have given confidence even at the time of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, the prologue of WEC. We heart weeps to see that in quotes are the most stringent in applying regulations. what I ask is not to distort the championship. Ben are new manufacturers but at the same time that there are equal rules for everyone. "
That being the case could begin to pick doubts about the participation in the WEC, considering the investment of tens of millions by your competitors?
"We have always invested the right and affordable digits, with financing by the way also with our activities. Let us remember that our department is called Sport activity GT but we are an offshoot of the Corse Clienti department, so as the name implies the machines we build them and sell them. to my knowledge, others do the same. as Ferrari we believe in a future that has certain rules. we do not want even to consider the idea of having to revise our plans. But it is clear that we can not remain passive in observing others who arrive with completely distorted cars or very different from how they should being. Therefore we expect that the sports authorities are vigilant that the battle is always sports as part of what are the specific characteristics of each manufacturer. Therefore not be a battle based on the fact that someone is smarter than others or that there is a hand escaped BoP. "
