Satisfying birthday present for di Montezemolo

Luca di Montezemolo's 62nd birthday on Monday has been made all the more sweeter by the fact that Ferrari notched up its first win of the 2009 season in Belgium on Sunday. The Chairman of the Italian marque has endured a tough time this year, although Kimi Räikkönen's success demonstrates that performances are firmly on the up.

Having qualified sixth, Räikkönen achieved his fourth Belgian Grand Prix triumph from his last five races at the track. "I'm very content with this victory," di Montezemolo told the Ferrari website having called Team Principal Stefano Domenicali in the immediate aftermath of the race.

"I'm happy for Domenicali, for the whole team and for our fans. Over the last four Grands Prix, starting with the Nürburgring, we have always been on the podium. Kimi drove an excellent race, demonstrating his talent on the most beautiful track in the championship - they really made me a nice present for my birthday!"

It may have taken Ferrari twelve races to succeed this year but the result marks the 210th Formula One victory from for the Scuderia, its third consecutive success in the Ardennes and its 17th in the country since first winning at Spa with Alberto Ascari in 1952.

Source: GP Update