Automotive Hall of Fame Inductee Dedicates Honor to Formula One Champion

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DEARBORN— Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, former chairman of Ferrari S.p.A., who has been chosen to be inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame, announced he would dedicate his award to his friend, race driver Michael Schumacher. The seven-time Formula One World Driving Champion, who won an unprecedented five consecutive driving championships with Ferrari, is recovering from injuries suffered in a December 2013 skiing accident. 

Montezemolo will be formally inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame at the 2015 Induction & Awards Gala Ceremony in Detroit on July 23.  Montezemolo says that he never would have received induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame without the indomitable spirit, brilliant intellect, and unique driving skills of Schumacher, who won 91 Formula One races, including 72 victories driving for Ferrari from the 1996 through 2006 racing seasons.
 
“I would like to dedicate the award to the wonderful and competent people with whom I worked in Maranello, sharing the enthusiasm, the affection and the passion we all hold for racing,” says Montezemolo. “However, at this time, as everyone will understand, I want to dedicate it especially to Michael Schumacher, the greatest driver in the history of Ferrari.”
 
Induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame is reserved for those who have made a significant impact on the automotive industry. Inductees are recognized for their individual achievements, innovations, and historic contributions.
 
The 2015 Automotive Hall of Fame inductees are Elwood Haynes, (1857- 1925), founder and president of the Haynes Automobile Company (1898-1925); Roger Penske, founder and Chairman of Penske Corporation; Ratan N. Tata, founder of Tata Motors and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons. The Automotive Hall of Fame also will honor Rodney O’Neal, former CEO and President, Delphi Automotive PLC, as its 2015 Industry Leader of the Year.
                                                                                                                                          
The Induction & Awards Gala Ceremony takes place at 6 p.m. on July 23 at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. The Induction & Awards Gala Ceremony will include remarks by A.J. Baime, author of “The Arsenal of Democracy” and “Go Like Hell.” Tickets for the black-tie event are available at automotivehalloffame.org.