2004 an exceptional year for Ferrari

This season was undoubtedly an amazing year for Ferrari and President Luca di Montezemolo was, naturally, very happy with the results. Michael Schumacher took 13 victories and his fifth consecutive world championship with the Scuderia in 2004. Only twice did he not score points and there were only three races when he was not on the podium.

Jean Todt and Luca di Montezemolo.

Photo by Ferrari Media Center.

He and teammate Rubens Barrichello, who claimed two wins and also only failed to score at two races, managed eight one-two finishes between them and Ferrari achieved its sixth consecutive constructors' crown. Di Montezemolo is not sure such a performance could be repeated.

"What happened this year is something that no one could have predicted. 2004 was an exceptional year, probably unrepeatable, given the strength of the competition in Formula One," he told reporters at the Ferrari Maserati finals at Monza on Sunday.

"The last time we were here in Monza was to celebrate our victory in 2001, when we could certainly not have expected the exceptional results we have achieved since then. When we won the Drivers' title in 2000, after a 21 year drought, many thought we would spend the next few years celebrating."

"Instead, we invested, building a strong and united team. We continued to work constantly in design and development, giving it our all. We have a fantastic and stable working group, for whom technology is very important, but more important still is the human element."

Di Montezemolo paid tribute to the drivers and team principal Jean Todt, as well as everyone who contributes to Ferrari's success. "I really want to thank the entire team: Jean Todt, who leads it, Michael who has won more than any other driver has ever done with Ferrari; Rubens who has been a cornerstone of all our Constructors' titles from 2000 onwards," he said.

"I want to thank those who follow the race, who work in Maranello: everyone, without exception, because this is a collective success which makes me very happy. I am proud to be President of Ferrari, I am proud of this team."