Ferrari X-Factor
By Ernesto Nigro
February 13 2009
It would seem that in these uncertain times of world financial crisis, things would be pretty down beat and miserable. Not so if...
| It would seem that in these uncertain times of world financial crisis, things would be pretty down beat and miserable….Not so if you happen to be a fan of Formula One and Ferrari. With the automotive world in the midst of financial darkness, layoffs, plant closures, restructuring and record sales losses, Ferrari announces 2008 as one of its most profitable years in its history. The sports car division of Ferrari that produces the dream cars most of us aspire some day to own or even just drive, uses its sales revenue to help fund its racing endeavors. For those who aren’t aware of this, Ferrari only exists to go racing. The road car division was created for the very purpose to fund the race team. FIA head Max Mosley has imposed several cost cutting measures with more to follow. This in an effort to aid financially strapped teams to survive and big budget teams to continue their pursuit of the F1 title without having to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It is the opinion of this reporter that not all of Mad Max’s ideas have this cost reduction ideology in plain sight, however. Several F1 teams have been struggling with the implementation of the new KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) system. If the idea was to reduce expenditure, then why introduce a new variable that cause F1 teams to spend an inordinate amount of money on new R&D projects. As a result, many teams are still struggling with this new technology. Costs of running a team in the pinnacle of motor racing may have dropped in theory but the reality is several teams are still feeling the crunch. So much so that their very existence in the sport is on thin ice. Honda is one of the teams that will not be on the starting grid at the start of the 2009 F1 season. So why all the smiles? Simple! The F1 season is just around the corner and Ferrari fans are feeling optimistic. Ferrari are coming back as World Constructor Champions, with Filipe Massa a very close runner up for the World Drivers Championship. Felipe’s Ferrari partner, Kimi (already a former F1 Drivers Champion) seems to have renewed energy and confidence this season and is ready to take on teammate, friends and foes on F1 circuits around the world! Ferrari’s all new F1 Challenger the F60 seems to be in fine form and is without doubt ,one of the nicer looking racers this season (FIA restrictions and aero regulations notwithstanding). Ferrari road car division continues its assault on its competition with the hot selling F430 and new California models which happen to be aimed at entry level exotic sports car purchasers...which given the current economic climate seems to be right where one would need to position themselves to weather this financial storm. And thus the Ferrari X-Factor. It’s the inexplicable, the intangible, the mystique and the passion that makes so many around the world, regardless of nationality, creed, religion or social status…what many affectionately refer to as the TIFOSI!
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