Mercedes so calm it makes Marchionne 'worry'

Sergio Marchionne on Tuesday said the serene winter pre-season enjoyed so far by Mercedes makes him "worry". Earlier, the Ferrari president had targeted a winning start for the red team at the forthcoming Melbourne season opener. But that was before Mercedes began dazzling its rivals with lap after lap in Barcelona testing. "Around the world in four days," Marchionne smiled to Italian journalists at the Geneva Motor Show.

He said Ferrari is also having a good winter, as the "power unit and the car are matched well and the drivers are happy, even if there is still work to do. "I hope we can put it on the front row at the first grand prix," said Marchionne. "I'm hesitating," he added, "because I see that Mercedes is so calm, and that makes me worry."

Marchionne also spoke about F1's proposed new 'musical chairs' qualifying format, apparently warning that Ferrari might wield its famous veto once again. "I think there is still a great need for discussion," he said. "We must take good care not to turn the system on its head without first understanding. I'm not sure whether the proposals from Bernie Ecclestone are acceptable to Ferrari, and nor do I believe this new elimination process enjoys the support of all the other teams."

Finally, he spoke yet again about speculation Alfa Romeo might launch an F1 foray. "It would be a great thing," said Marchionne, also the Fiat Chrysler president, "but first we have to establish the brand commercially. Ferrari might be willing to help with engines as we did for Toro Rosso," he added. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar