'Schumacher is not a traitor' - PlanetF1.com Wednesday 30th December 2009 Ferrari supporters may not be pleased that former fan favourite Michael Schumacher has joined Mercedes, but Piero Ferrari insits the German is by no means a traitor. Piero, the only living son of Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari, admits he was disappointed to see Schumacher sign with another team, but that the man who helped the Scudera to five World Championships should not be ostracised. "There has been talk of treason, I would not use that word, but I can not deny that we felt ill about the choice made, we should remember that Schumacher gave a lot, but also received a lot of Ferrari," the 65-year-old told reporters. The Ferrari vice-president went on to relate a story his father told him regarding drivers: "He always said that we must never take love for pilots, because they are either killed or going to run for other teams, we must always treat them as employees, though very important." Despite Schumacher's defection, Piero said that Ferrai would not look to distance themselves from the 40-year-old. "The square in front of the Fiorano track will bear his name and I personally will not remove his picture on the wall of my office," he explained. The Italian reamains confident that current Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa will be able to overcome the challenge of Schumacher. "We've signed Alonso, who has challenged and beaten Michael. We also have Massa, who took over from Schumacher and has grown a lot. "I am convinced we have been able to build a good car, better than that of 2009. We will not lose the title because of the drivers," he insisted.
Also on the autosport site: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80694 I found this part interesting: "I'll take a step back in time: I was very close to Lorenzo Bandini and I suffered greatly when he died in Monte Carlo in 1967," said Ferrari. "Right then, my father gave me some advice that was in line with his policy: 'You must never get too affectionate with racing drivers, because it either ends this way or they go race somewhere else. They are employees, even if very important ones.' " And yet his father did exactly that with gilles Villenueve and allowed himself to care too much, making his death even harder to take.
Yup I have to agree with Pierro .. it's sad to see MS drive for a rival team, but we should never forget what he did for Ferrari, & what Ferrari did for him. It was a great partnership whilst it lasted, and like all great partnerships it came to an end. Of course I will be cheering on the Scuderia in 2010, but if they are to be beaten I hope it is by MS and MS alone. More importantly, I hope he does his legacy justice as the last thing I want him to be remembered for is a disastrous comeback. His legacy is worth more than that to the sport!
Piero seems to be a bit of an enigma. Does anyone know if he has any children? I know he is Enzo's illegitimate son and spent most of his life as Piero Lardi, not becoming a Ferrari until Enzo's wife died. Is he the end of the Ferrari line? I understand that he only owns 10% of the company and it will continue without him, but it would be nice to have a member of Enzo's family still around.
Here he is with his son, Enzo (in... an Enzo!) (I took this picture in 2007 at the Scaglietti factory). Image Unavailable, Please Login
I seem to recall that Piero Lardi Ferrari had a daughter called Laura, who recently had a son named Enzo.
In Brock Yates biography of Enzo, he goes into Villeneuve's death and its seemed that he was sorry that he died, but was not overly up set, like a lot of people say. he is reported to have just taken a deep sigh, and aksed how long to make a new car, so he could go on and look for a replacement.... not exactly getting broken up!
Brock's account may be somewhat accurate, but those who knew Enzo best recall a man who seldom wore his feelings on his sleeve or shared them with anyone - except when it came to his son Dino. It would be very difficult for Yates to accurately document how Enzo felt about anything, since even his closest confidants had difficulty determining his feelings.
Yes it is sad to see MS make his comeback in a non-red car yet in a sense the circle is now complete. Mercedes gave Schumi his first true break into big time racing in the "World Sports-Prototype Championship". Anywho I'm certain you all know that so I'll just say that I'm ecstatic to see my F1 hero make a long awaited comeback.
Actually that is my point exactly. Not knowing Enzo personally i cant comment. But It seems un likely that he went to pieces, and was much more stoic than most people think. Most of his conterporaries Gozzi, etc... said that he was a hard man, but all agree that Dino's death affected him the most, and drove the final stake in to the marraige with Laura. ( some attribute Dino's disease with Enzo infecting Laura with sphyllis he got during WW1. )
I hope he does well. It would be a shame for him to fail at this point in his life. I hope he becomes champion again.
TRUE. "Enzo Ferrari II" is the son of Giacomo Mattioli (Owner of Ferrari Beverly Hills) His real sirname is Mattioli.
I don't say that Enzo went to pieces when Villeneuve died, however if you look at pictures and footage of them together, it's very obvious that Enzo viewed him as more than just an employee who was to be held at arms length (I would go as far as suggesting that at times it was almost like a father/son relationship). During one season Villeneuve called his car a "sh*tbox!" knowing full well that Enzo would know. Was he fired?, no, could any other driver get away with that sort of statement?, I doubt it.
I totally agree, I think the public display of not being devastated by Gilles death was exactly that , for the public, to show no weakness and keep his hard image intact. I think in private he was as devasted as he was when Dino died and it made him realise that he had made the "mistake" of getting too attached to a driver (having previously said he would never do it again). One of the most important things for Enzo Ferrari was to never show any weakness to the outside world, as that would lead to people taking advantage of it.
Yes, I have read this as well but this Enzo is 21 now, and into racing http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Sport/Story/STIStory_449103.html
to answer your questions on the blood line of Enzo Ferrari i am directly related blood line and one of only 2 left there is myself and Enzo Ferrari junior my background is taken back to my grandfather who was Enzo's cousin and branches off from there problem is there wasnt many children born from that point on there was myself, my father, Dino, Piero and Enzo junior the blood line ends there really or should i say here. the unfortunate changes in my life was that when i was 8 i sent a letter to Enzo and got a reply letter from himself stating that when i was older to come and see him about my future i thought and still do of nothing but Ferrari since i was born basically and my mechanical skills are exceptional but enough about me just thought i would help you with the problem
