Hamilton and Ferrari boss slam Formula One rule changes

Maranello, Italy - World champion Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo on Friday slammed the latest rule changes introduced by motorsport's governing body, FIA. Earlier this week FIA said that the world championship would be decided on the number of victories. They also announced a budget cap, to which the Formula One teams had earlier agreed. 'It's a shame what's happening to F1,' said Hamilton in a statement issued by his McLaren-Mercedes team. 'It's hard to believe these recent decisions will improve things for the trackside spectators and TV viewers, who should always be our priority.' Di Montezemolo struck in similar note in a statement posted on the Ferrari website, saying that it was absurd to make such changes less than two weeks ahead of the season-opening Australian grand prix on March 29 in Melbourne. 'I really think it's absurd, severe and dangerous that one week before the first grand prix, Formula One is in such a situation, which is very bad for its credibility, its security, the teams, the car manufacturers, the fans, the journalists and the sponsors who invest. 'I hope for a responsible climate, which has been started by us, the teams, with a cost reduction of 50 per cent,' he said. The Italian added: 'It's important to have a serene climate and to avoid continuous changes, creating uncertainty for those who work and making decisions for the future difficult.' Hamilton said that FIA should have taken more proposals from the F1 teams organized in the FOTA body into account. 'For the first time in recent years we have the teams, drivers, sponsors and fans all working together for the good of our sport - now we just need the governing bodies to listen to us and help us. 'F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport and that's what we all love about it; we should all be working together to maintain that,' the Briton insisted.