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December 16 has been flagged as a potentially momentous day in Luca di Montezemolo's career. According to French F1 commentator Jean-Louis Moncet writing in his Auto Plus column, the Ferrari president has called journalists to Fiorano on that day. "What will he tell us?" wondered Moncet. It is speculated that the Ferrari president will discuss the famous Maranello based team and possible tweaks in the management. "Maybe he will talk about politics," added Moncet. Indeed, in recent days, 63-year-old Montezemolo has been mentioned in Italian reports about the likely demise later this month of the country's prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. "He could use his high profile in business as a springboard into politics the way Berlusconi did in the early 1990s," one report said. Fascinatingly, Montezemolo's December 16 meeting with journalists is due just two days after Berlusconi faces a confidence vote in Italian parliament "which may well bring down the government", reported the New York Times. Referring to Berlusconi, the Daily Telegraph quoted Montezemolo as saying last week: "The one-man show is over." Source: GMM

Luca di Montezemolo has indicated that Felipe Massa is on the road to having his Ferrari deal extended beyond December. The 29-year-old Brazilian has driven for the famous team since 2006, alongside highly rated teammates including Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen. But so far in 2010, Massa has struggled with the F10 car, while team president Montezemolo told La Gazzetta dello Sport that he is "very happy" with new long-term recruit Fernando Alonso. Amid rumours Ferrari is considering replacing Massa with Robert Kubica or Mark Webber, Gazzetta correspondent Pino Allievi asked Montezemolo what Massa needs to do in order to keep his seat. He answered: "Continue as before, with the same spirit, thinking of his interests but also those of the team." Source: GMM

Luca di Montezemolo on Thursday revealed he resisted the urge to invite Michael Schumacher to play at a football game. The seven time world champion is Ferrari's most successful ever driver, winning five world championships during his 1996-2006 tenure. But after retiring four years ago, the 41-year-old returned to the grid this year with Mercedes, and the tension between the German and his former camp has been obvious. "We had beautiful years together and I gave him back his desire to race," said Ferrari president Montezemolo, referring to the offer of a temporary seat last year to replace the injured Massa, which subsequently became a full return with a rival team. "At times I miss Schumacher, he gave so much to Ferrari, but he also received a lot," the Italian told La Gazzetta dello Sport. He then referred to the forthcoming Partita Del Cuore charity football match, to be played in Modena early next week and featuring current Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella. Said Montezemolo: "A few days ago I was tempted to call him (Schumacher) to ask him to play for us. But as the team carries the Ferrari name, I avoided it." Source: GMM

Former FIA chief Max Mosley has launched a stinging attack on Luca di Montezemolo

Luca di Montezemolo has stepped down as chairman of the Italian carmaker Fiat. He will, however, remain president of Ferrari, with 34-year-old John Elkann - a descendant of the founding Agnelli family - replacing him at Fiat because Montezemolo has "finished the task" he began in 2004. Montezemolo, 62, denied the move is a precursor to moving into Italian politics or even founding his own party, insisting he is staying on the Fiat board and will not stop heading Ferrari. On the same day, Montezemolo announced that he still wants "major teams" such as Ferrari "and McLaren" to be allowed to enter third cars in grands prix. "We want a third car and I would do everything to have Valentino (Rossi)," he told reporters. "When he wins this year's MotoGP, enough is enough, he must also win in formula one," the Ferrari chairman and president added.

Fiat has called a last-minute unscheduled press conference for 4 pm CET today, where it is understood that Fiat Group Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo will announce that he is leaving the company. At this time, no official reason has been given for Montezemolo's departure, but it's being reported that he may be mulling a move into politics, possibly to form a new Italian centrist party. Going speculation also has it that Montezemolo will be replaced by current group vice-chairman John Elkann. Montezemolo's involvement with Fiat goes back to the early-1970s when he was a manager at the Ferrari Formula One team. After leaving the team he eventually returned to take over the CEO role at Ferrari and led the company through a period of major growth and expansion. Montezemolo will apparently remain on Fiat's board of directors. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne will also hold a presentation tomorrow to discuss Fiat's strategy going forward including its U.S. plans and a possible spin-off of the car business from the rest of the group.

Here's another quote from Ferrari President Montezemolo taken from http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news...023092215.shtml "The real problem is with the new circuits that are there just for show. I think Monaco is enough," he said. Hmm.. wonder which F1 circuit he's referring to?