Talk throughout the Italian Grand Prix race weekend surrounded the future of Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemolo.
The rumour was that 67-year-old was set to step down from his position with Ferrari to become President of UAE airline Alitalia Etihad.
There are strong links between Etihad and Ferrari, so the rumour didn’t sound so far fetched.
Etihad are a strong commercial partner for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where the Ferrari World resort park has been built at the Yas Marina circuit.
There are also closer commercial ties between the two companies.
However Luca Di Montezemolo denied the speculation, highlighting his recent new three-year-contract.
The news was welcomed by Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, but it would seem all is not well within the marbled walls of Maranello.
Ferrari’s parent company is Fiat and their chief executive officer Sergio Marchionne has criticised Di Montezemolo.
‘I consider myself essential, of course, But I also know very well that I am at the service of this company. So to create positions, illusions that one can operate outside the rules, is talking rubbish.
‘It’s the same for him as it is for me; we serve the company. When the company has a change of plan, or if there is no longer a convergence of ideas, things change.’ Marchionne told the BBC.
‘The heart of Ferrari is winning in F1. I don’t want to see our drivers in 7th and 12th place.
‘To see the Reds in this state, having the best drivers, exceptional facilities, engineers who are really good, to see all that and then to consider that we have not won since 2008?
‘The important thing for Ferrari is not just the financial results, but also it is winning and we have been struggling for six years.’
Di Montezemolo criticised by Fiat boss
