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Despite his anger, however, di Montezemolo has said he is now philosophical about what happened.

"I reckon that in the history of F1, we have never seen a world championship decided on the last bend of the last lap of the last Grand Prix," he said. "And we've never seen a driver crossing the finish line as a world champion."

"Miracles, when they happen, usually only happen once. I say that because last year was a miracle. A repeat is usually impossible. In Brazil, with Massa, we were in the process of producing another miracle."

And di Montezemolo made special reference to the efforts of Kimi Raikkonen this year who, although out the hunt for the drivers' championship, played a key role in allowing Ferrari to win the constructors' title.

He did first of all joke, however, that Raikkonen did not appear to be himself in the final part of the season – when he was left firmly in the shadow by Massa.

"Is it really you, the real Kimi, the one in flesh and bones?" said di Montezemolo at Raikkonen, who was sat in the same room as him. "Or is it a friend of yours, a stand-in, the one that in the last Grands Prix was racing for Ferrari? Because in my opinion, Kimi, you were a bit tired and you let a friend of yours race for a while. OK, enough kidding.

Kimi has been a world champion right up to the last race this year. He has contributed to two constructors' titles," he said. "His points were fundamental. With all respect for Lewis Hamilton...I'm happy with my drivers, the best pair in the world."