Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says team principal Stefano Domenicali has his full backing despite the team having won only one race this season.
There has been speculation over Domenicali's future ever since a strategic error cost Fernando Alonso the world championship in 2010, which culminated in a technical restructuring this season. However, despite Ferrari having had a poor start to the season by its standards for the third year in a row, Montezemolo told reporters in Monza that Domenicali will lead the team again next year.
"In one word, yes," Montezemolo said. "Stefano has all my commitment. He has a big commitment to deliver and so he will be very busy. When Todt left the company it was of course the end of one era. We have opened a new era, new people and a new mentality. Even we discovered there was the necessity to improve some areas. I'm very happy that my team management is so confident and I look forward that he will deliver."
When asked if he was interested in recruiting Red Bull chief technical officer Adrian Newey, Montezemolo said he would be, but that he believed that the current Ferrari setup would allow the team to be competitive in 2012.
"Of course yes. But this is the same it has been for 20 years - to have the best technicians, and the best drivers. I respect all that he did. It is more or less the same with the drivers, but I am also absolutely confident that, with all respect to Adrian Newey, we can have a very competitive car next year because I know my people and don't underestimate that from 2000 until now, how many championships we have won in the last 11 years.
"I have a big opinion of Adrian Newey, but I am pleased and happy with my technicians and pleased to have the best driver in the world that is Fernando and also pleased to see, particularly in the second half of this season, a good reaction from Felipe."
Montezemolo also said that he was expecting the stability in the technical rules to help Ferrari close on Red Bull next season, having initially struggled at the introduction of the 2009 changes.
"For next year I expect a competitive car with clear rules, and with clear interpretation of the rules that was not the same in 2009. So I hope that we can have clear rules and to make a condition to win again the championship now."
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