Massa's performance substandard - di Montezemolo

Luca di Montezemolo: "I think Felipe got a bit tired mid-season and went home, sending his brother to drive

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo believes Felipe Massa did not show up for the second half of the season, joking that he sent his brother to race instead.

Talking to Italian press over lunch, Montezemolo rated Ferrari's season and revealed that the 2011 car will be launched in the last week of January, ahead of the first pre-season test.

Asked to give a report card for Massa and Fernando Alonso, he answered: "Nine and a half to Alonso. He did not win, but [the score is] from the point of view of results, character and relationship with the team.

"Less than a seven for Felipe Massa," he added. "For some reason we have a problem with the brothers of our drivers arriving during the season. It happened with [Michael] Schumacher, [Kimi] Raikkonen and now Massa. I think Felipe got a bit tired mid-season and went home, sending his brother to drive. He gets a seven minus but he has promised to come back next year."

As for Ferrari: "Eight. You do not get full marks when you don't win, but it was an exceptional year for commitment and determination."

Asked to sum up Ferrari's 2010, he said: "We were disappointed, there's no point denying it. But, realistically, it was more bitter in 2008, when Felipe crossed the finish line as world champion. From 1997 onwards, except 2005 and 2009, we have either won or lost at the last race. The opponents - Williams, McLaren, Renault, Red Bull - always change, only Ferrari is there."

Speaking generally on Formula One, Montezemolo vowed to "fight for common sense, for races on circuits [not streets] and to have not more than 19 races, preferably 18. And to have three cars; it's better to have a third car with a competitive team than a team that cannot even do GP2. I think it's common sense and Bernie Ecclestone agrees. Who [would run the third Ferrari]? A small but competitive team."

As for the possibility of him switching from running Ferrari to Italian politics, Montezemolo insisted: "Let me do my job. I'm so glad we have many, many things to do here at Ferrari."

Source: ESPNF1