Ferrari President Faults Anti Michael F1 Proposals

TURIN, Italy, October 15, 2002; The AP reports that the head of Ferrari racing called Formula One's plans to introduce a handicapping system next season "insane."

Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, whose team won 15 of 17 F1 races this season, made his remarks one day after five-time champion and Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher completed the most successful season in circuit history.

"These insane proposals put Formula One's image at risk," Montezemolo told ANSA news agency. "I don't think they'll go forward because a sense of responsibility will prevail."

Bernie Ecclestone, the head of Formula One, and Max Mosley, president of FIA, the sport's governing body, have recommended adding weight to a car if its team builds an early points lead next season.

Other big-budget F1 teams have also criticized the proposed handicapping system, which would involve drivers swapping between teams or adding 2.2 pounds of extra weight to a car for each point its driver is ahead in the standings.

Schumacher won a record 11 races this season, clinching his title in July with six races remaining.