Montezemolo - Ferrari missed out on Antonelli

Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo believes Ferrari made a mistake by not securing Italian prodigy Kimi Antonelli.

The 77-year-old, making a rare paddock appearance in Bahrain, has often critiqued Ferrari since leaving his role.

Speaking to Sky Italia, he said: "I see the Ferrari guys all very motivated, and I'm happy to see them like this. (Charles) Leclerc is third and therefore he can compete. This is a team that sometimes lacks leadership, and I say this in general, but sooner or later we hope to see not only a podium but a car capable of staying ahead. But to do this, time and organisation are needed."

He added: "First of all I'm happy to come back to breathe this air after ten years, and then it's an important third place for Ferrari. This is a difficult race in which we've always had problems with the rear tyres."

Montezemolo predicted a more thrilling Bahrain race compared to Suzuka. "(Lando) Norris will have to fight, it will be a great grand prix," he said. "I'm happy to have seen people with whom I shared weekends and sometimes clashes—Toto (Wolff), Helmut Marko, and they were all very nice to me. I didn't have the chance to speak to Lewis (Hamilton)."

On Antonelli, the only Italian currently racing in F1, Montezemolo expressed regret that Mercedes, not Ferrari, signed him.

"Antonelli is a first-rate driver, first of all because he's in his first year of F1 and he doesn't make mistakes, but he's fast and I see him growing. And then he's from Bologna, like myself," he said.

"I'm just sorry to see him in Mercedes. Would I have taken him? At 18 maybe not, but I would have put him at Sauber to do two years there. Toto was good at finding him and raising him, like McLaren did with Lewis."