Quote-start

The fall and rise of Ferrari.

Quote-end

5 Jun 20th, 2000  (Mar 18th, 2002)

8 Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful

Advantages:
Plenty of cash .

Disadvantages:
None .

Recommendable Yes:

Detailed rating:

Cars

Race Strategy

Pit-Crew Organisation

DavidJWest

DavidJWest

About me:

Check out my new website if you are into online games: www.ogreview.org Currently too busy worki...

Member since:08.06.2000

Reviews:215

Members who trust:17

Ferrari have the longest tradition in the sport of Formula One Motor Racing, being founded by Enzo Ferrari and having competed in every Grand Prix since 1950, when the official world championship started.

Ferrari used to be a great team winning more titles than any other. Since the late 1970's though, they have struggled with reliability being their main problem.

Nigel Mansell helped to turn things around in 1991, winning several races for them, and the title would have been won if it were a more reliable car.

Now that Schumacher is on board, and Ferrari have finally overcome this reliability problem the title is there for the taking. Barrichello is a good number two driver for the team and Jean Todt has a good brain when it comes to race strategy.

Having contested 655 Grands Prix they are the most succesful team in the sport with 145 race wins and 11 constructors titles. Their drivers have won a total of 14 titles for the Scuderia, as they are also known. Scuderia being the Italian (they are from Italy if you didn't know) word for a stable.

The stable of course refers to the black prancing horse which is their world famous logo, usually emblazoned on a yellow shield with a scarlet background.

Ferrari fans are known as Tifosi, this is Italian for fans. They are the most popular team in the sport but I think they have sold out a little to appease their sponsors.

For example the colour of the cars has changed from almost blood red (scarlet) to a much more friendly red, almost orangye red. It's a minor point but I am sure Enzo will be turning in his grave that his beloved cars have become so commercialised with their tic-tac adverts on the monocoque!

Recently FIAT bought a 90% stake in the company and this useful injection of cash has enabled them to land Michael Schumacher as driver which has propelled them to a very succesful era, after 21 years of relative failure.

The team is based at Maranello in northern Italy, they are the only team with their own test track (Fiorano) which does give them an advantage.

It is a proven fact that when Ferrari do well, the number of people watching Grands Prix increases and so does the amount of money flowing into the FIA's coffers.

This is why I am slightly suspicious about just how level the proverbial playing field is for all Formula One teams.

Just for the record I am going to record all the suspicious instances involving Ferrari, for posterity, commencing with this season. Make your own minds up and please post comments, I am suspicous but not convinced there is a plot!

2002 - Malaysia - Juan Pablo Montoya is hit by Michael Schumacher in the first turn and "Monster" is given a drive-through penalty, dedspite Michael Schumacher saying this was not appropriate.

This after the start where Michael on pole, swung across to block Montoya who moved to overtake and took the line into the first turn. It was tight but Michael was going too fast to make the turn given his bad line and understeered into Juan Pablo.

More suspicious fans have said this was more than just understeer on Michael's part.
 

How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines

exceptional

very helpful

helpful

somewhat helpful

not helpful

off topic

Comments about this review »

TrueSatan 31.10.2003 13:14

Had you updated this opinion, as Ciao request that writers do, it might well have been worth a higher rating.



More reviews »

Ferrari - review by welshpete

Advantages: Ferrari can look to dominate for a few years
Disadvantages: McLaren will work extra hard to catch up

Ferrari - review by welshpete welshpete 21.12.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Ferrari

Ferrari - review by Connoisseur_Haggler

Advantages: truely amazing performance on all race conditions
Disadvantages: none

Ferrari - review by Connoisseur_Haggler Connoisseur_Haggler 08.10.2000 (05.01.2001) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Ferrari

Ferrari - review by steveymacca

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

Ferrari - review by steveymacca steveymacca 09.09.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Ferrari

Ferrari - review by Truman

Advantages: Deserve to win
Disadvantages: only support one driver

Ferrari - review by Truman Truman 07.08.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: off topic
Review of Ferrari

Ferrari - review by gayle

Advantages: reliability, speed, best team directors
Disadvantages: none.

Ferrari - review by gayle gayle 15.07.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: off topic
Review of Ferrari