Massa lost the crown to Lewis Hamilton by just one point this season - having seen his rival grab the fifth place he needed at the penultimate corner of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
And speaking at an end of season party at Maranello, Domenicali said the title was not lost in Brazil - but in earlier races due to a number of problems including Massa's engine failure in Hungary and the pit stop dramas in Singapore.
"We're sorry for Felipe, who had an incredible season," said Domenicali as he addressed the team at the 'Nuova Logistica' department during the end of season event.
"We didn't lose the championship in Brazil but before, when we had problems with reliability and made mistakes. We have to analyse the causes, with tranquillity but decisively, to be sure that it will not happen again in the next year. Now we have to congratulate our competitors, because they were really strong and they earned what they achieved."
Domenicali praised the efforts of Ferrari's workforce for helping deliver the team the Constructors' Championship – their eighth in 10 years.
"I want to congratulate you all for what you have done this year: we earned this title, because we never gave up," said Domenicali. "It was a complicated season, where many things happened, but we always knew how to react.
"I remember that last summer we asked you for another effort as far as your work was concerned, to try to reconquer the leadership in terms of performance: we made it and I have to acknowledge that. We had the best possible car and all credit belongs to you."
Domenicali also made special reference to his predecessor Jean Todt and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.
"Our president was always close to us and he always supported us," he said. "He asked us eight out of ten at the end of last year and we made it. Todt, who had a new role this year, followed us step by step, helping us with his experience and his knowledge.
"I can assure you that in this position the pressure is really high and it's important for me to know that they support me and that I can count on your work and your passion."
To round off the celebrations at Maranello, Domenicali received a phone call from di Montezemolo, who is in New York.
He said: "We managed to save Hamilton from being sent to the psychiatric ward.... But seriously, I want to congratulate you and your boss Stefano Domenicali.
"You can be proud of this championship, which means a lot, considering all that happened. I'm sorry that I can't be there with you today, but I hope to see you very soon, on Sunday at Mugello."
No comments:
Post a Comment