Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo smashed a television set after seeing McLaren's Lewis Hamilton snatch the Formula One world title from Felipe Massa in last weekend's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix. "I broke the television, I must tell the truth," Montezemolo told a news conference at a Ferrari event in Mugello on Sunday.
"When a television breaks it makes a terrible bang. My daughter in the other room was given an awful fright. Luckily we had another television so I was able to watch the podium ceremony, which I enjoyed."
Ferrari's Massa won his home grand prix and was poised for championship victory before Hamilton overtook a slowing Timo Glock on the final bend to finish in the fifth place he needed to clinch the title.
"I reckon that in the history of F1, we have never seen a world championship decided on the last bend of the last lap of the last grand prix," added Montzemolo, who saw Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen steal the title last season in the final race.
"Miracles, when they happen, usually only happen once. I say that because last year was a miracle. A repeat is usually impossible. In Brazil, with Massa, we were in the process of producing another miracle."
Montezemolo had words of praise for Raikkonen. The Finn was out of the running for the title this year but helped Ferrari to retain the constructors' championship and spurred on Massa. "Kimi, was it really you in flesh and bone or was it a friend, a double, who raced for Ferrari in the final grand prix? Because I think you were tired Kimi and you let a friend drive for a bit," the president said.
"Joking aside, Kimi has been a world champion right up to the last race this year. He has contributed to two constructors' titles. His points were fundamental. With all respect for Lewis Hamilton...I'm happy with my drivers, the best pair in the world."
Montezemolo made no reference to the Ferrari board's recent threat to review its presence in Formula One if plans for a standard engine for all teams go ahead from 2010.
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