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4273206
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# Luca Di Montezemolo and Bernie Ecclestone continue to share F1 spotlight

## While Ron Dennis was saying his goodbyes in Woking, Formula One's biggest
players were out in Italy discussing the sport's future.

![Luca Di Montezemolo and Bernie Ecclestone continue to share F1 spotlight:
Bernard's pass: Bernie Ecclestone soaks up the scenery at Ferrari's annual
Alpine media fest][1]

Bernard's pass: Bernie Ecclestone soaks up the scenery at Ferrari's annual
Alpine media fest Photo: REUTERS

By Tom Cary in Madonna di Campiglio  7:52PM GMT 16 Jan 2009

[Comments][2]

Bernie Ecclestone had caused a minor sensation on Thursday when he
unexpectedly turned up at Ferrari's annual pre-season media fest in the
Italian Dolomites.

But even he was upstaged when Ferrari and FOTA president Luca di Montezemolo -
as close as it gets to royalty out here - decided that he, too, would jet in
for the first time in Wrooom's 19-year history.

Of course, the whole affair was just one big PR stunt after Ecclestone and Di
Montezemolo's recent spat over the running of the sport.

But while they were happy to have their picture taken together and share a
pleasant lunch up the moutain, Di Montezemolo reiterated his position that
changes were necessary at the top.

"We think it has to be a normal sport that is not connected to single people,"
he said in a thinly-veiled repetition of the "dictator" jibe with which he hit
Ecclestone last month. "He [Ecclestone] has done a lot for F1. I hope we share
the same vision of our sport's future, for everyone's sake. Today we found a
good balance: you can't be detached from reality."

Di Montezemolo also paid tribute to departing McLaren F1 boss Dennis. "Despite
the many clashes we had, Ron Dennis will always be a great person," he said.
"He and his team have done some extraordinary work over the decades."

Meanwhile, **Honda Racing **CEO Nick Fry has dismissed suggestions regarding a
conflict of interest in him trying to find a buyer for the team, denying
reports that his talks to sell the outfit were subject to a government
investigation.

Fry said: "At all times during the process of securing the future of the team,
senior managers from Honda Motor Company have been present at our HQ in
Brackley to assist in making decisions and we have taken legal advice at all
times, to ensure no conflict of interest.

"It is evident that attempts are being made by external parties to frustrate
this process."

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