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Ferrari boss Montezemolo expects big changes from FIA

You'd think that with former Ferrari principal Jean Todt running the FIA, the relationship between the motorsport governing body and the team he once called home would be a solid one. But his former boss expects more from the organization that overseas Formula One.
In a recent interview (excerpts from which you can read below), Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo pointed to some perceived inconsistencies in rulings made by FIA officials this season and called for "strong changes." Among those controversies was a drive-through penalty handed to Felipe Massa at the season-closing Brazilian Grand Prix last weekend, his last for the Scuderia. Massa was reprimanded for cutting across the white line that marks the exit from the pit lane, the penalty for which dropped him from fourth place in the race to seventh, and cost Ferrari its second place in the final standings for the constructors' championship - and with it a good $10 million in prize money. Montezemolo characterized the penalty as "disproportionate and unjust".
The Ferrari chief also pointed to penalties handed to Mercedes as either too harsh or not harsh enough, calling for greater consistency in FIA rulings and implying that more permanent race stewards be appointed instead of alternating race to race.

F1's Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton face off again in Austria

SPIELBERG, Austria - Sebastian Vettel celebrated his 30th birthday on Monday, but it can be safely assumed that Lewis Hamilton will not be bringing any gifts to Austria this weekend. After the "road rage" of Azerbaijan two weeks ago, the Formula One title rivals head to the bucolic surroundings of the scenic Red Bull Ring and its backdrop of hills and forests, with controversy still simmering. Vettel, Ferrari's championship leader, had risked a heavy penalty for his moment of madness in driving into Hamilton's Mercedes behind the safety car in Baku but instead the German arrives in Austria with no further sanction and the matter officially closed. Vettel has had to accept full responsibility, and apologize to Hamilton, and will have to stay on best behavior with a race ban looming if he collects any more penalty points on his license this weekend. The FIA said Monday's meeting was attended by top officials including race director Charlie Whiting and safety director Laurent Mekies. "Following detailed discussion and further examination of video and data evidence related to the incident, Sebastian Vettel admitted full responsibility," the FIA said. "In the heat of the action I then overreacted, and therefore I want to apologize to Lewis directly, as well as to all the people who were watching the race. I realize that I was not setting a good example." A formal apology was published on Vettel's personal website. "During the re-start lap, I got surprised by Lewis and ran into the back of his car. With hindsight, I don't believe he had any bad intentions," he said. "In the heat of the action I then overreacted, and therefore I want to apologize to Lewis directly, as well as to all the people who were watching the race. I realize that I was not setting a good example. "I love this sport and I am determined to represent it in a way that can be an example for future generations." But the incident, the sport's major talking point post-Baku, is unlikely to die down immediately even if Mercedes say they have moved on. Hamilton, for one, has said nothing. But he has kept social media buzzing with news he had "liked" a fan's supportive post on Instagram that said the Paris decision had sent the message that "you can do whatever you want on track, smash into each other but if you suck up and just apologize and you get away with it." Hamilton is now 14 points behind Vettel after eight of 20 races, with a loose headrest costing the Briton victory in Azerbaijan.

Full-camo Ferrari F12 M spied testing in Maranello

Going on five years old, the Ferrari F12 is due for a freshening. And so our spy photographers caught the next version of Ferrari's front-engine two-seater running around Maranello in full disguise. According to Autocar, the production version should appear at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Details at this point are scarce. In the photos you can see the large round brake lights behind the body coverings. They appear to be the same as those on the current F12, but don't count on that continuing through. As with the FF's evolution to the GTC4 Lusso, we expect some changes to the front and rear styling when the F12's suffix changes from Berlinetta to M. And with the GTC4 Lusso adopting a turbo V8, it's possible Ferrari will spread that option to the F12 M as well. But calm down, we're not expecting he V12 to go away. In fact, we expect it to get a power bump, similar to what we saw in the limited-edition F12 TdF, which puts out 769 horsepower, 39 more than the F12 Berlinetta. What we probably won't see in the upcoming F12 M is a hybrid powertain, despite the fact that all Ferraris are moving in that direction. That shift will happen with the F12's successor. Which leaves you plenty of time watch this video of the F12 M running around Maranello. Enjoy. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery Ferrari F12 M Spy Photos View 19 Photos Spy Photos Geneva Motor Show Ferrari Coupe Performance Supercars ferrari f12 berlinetta