Mar.19 (GMM) Norbert Haug has defended new Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali following the Italian team's disastrous start to the 2008 season in Australia last weekend.
Some sections of the media made a link between Ferrari's first race since 1993 without Jean Todt on the pitwall and the shopping-cart of problems that befell the red team at Albert Park.But Haug, competition director for arch rival McLaren's engine and equity partner Mercedes-Benz, is sure that Ferrari is still a formidable opponent now that 42-year-old Domenicali is solely in charge at races.To the German news agency SID, he referred to Ferrari's Melbourne showing as a "slip" for the reigning world champions."What I find really bad is the criticism of the new team boss after the first race," Haug said."For many years Stefano and his colleagues formed the basis of all Ferrari wins. His team is strong enough to be the winners in Malaysia," the German added.As to where Ferrari went wrong in Australia, Haug explains that mere "millimetres" often separate formula one's "heroes" from the "zeroes" at any grand prix.
