Stefano Domenicali has fended off claims Ferrari needs a stronger character at the helm of its F1 team, such as the controversial Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho.
“Mourinho is my friend,” Italian Domenicali told the Spanish sports newspaper AS when told Ferrari needs a figure like the Portuguese in charge.

“I will not speak ill of him,” he said, rejecting speculation some of Ferrari’s troubles since the heady days of Michael Schumacher and Jean Todt is that the team’s new leader is too nice.

“Everyone has his own style. If winning is a problem of being hard or soft, I say in 2008 we won (the constructors’ championship).

“I don’t care what is said, the important thing is to have authority within the group you govern. And frankly, if last year we had won the title in Abu Dhabi, how different would it be now?

“You see? Sorry to say so, but you have to use your head. I respect what you are saying, but I disagree,” he insisted.

The interviewer pointed out another observation that Ferrari has reverted to Italianisation in the wake of the ultra-successful influences of departed Frenchman Todt and Briton Ross Brawn.

“I think I will not answer because I am a certain sort of person,” smiled Domenicali.

Asked to clarify his final point, he added: “No, look, I have replied, but perhaps not as I should have out of respect for your readers. It is not my style.”