Sunday October 8th, 2000
Ferrari’s President Luca di Montezemolo confessed on Sunday that watching Michael Schumacher clinch the first drivers’ title for the Italian team in 21 years made him a very happy man and that it was probably the best day of his life.
Di Montezemolo, who refused to make any comments after leaving his home at Pian di Macina, near Bologna, once the race had finished, talked to the press after arriving at Maranello, where Ferrari have their headquarters.
"It is the most beautiful day of my life, or at least my professional life, because there is also family life," said di Montezemolo. "Today the driver, the car, the team made the difference. Ferrari's win is a victory for Italian technology, the victory of a business.”
The Italian also said that Gianni Agnelli, FIAT’s Honorary President, had phoned him during the race.
"He rang me 13 laps before the end and said 'It's in the bag.' I said 'no please' and he said 'I am serene and you should be too,'" related di Montezemolo.
Schumacher’s win at the Japanese Grand Prix gave Ferrari their first title since Jody Scheckter won for them back in 1979.