Stefano Domenicali has stepped down as team principal of Scuderia Ferrari, after the legendary Italian marque made yet another poor start to the new season.
Domenicali, 48, took the top job at Ferrari ahead of 2008 season, after Jean Todt vacated the role of team principal. In his tenure at the Scuderia, Domenicali won only the constructors’ championship, in his first year. Since 2010, Ferrari have played bridesmaid to Red Bull Racing, as Sebastian Vettel propelled them to four consecutive driver’s championships and constructors’ championships.
In 2013 it was announced that Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 championship for Ferrari, would pair Fernando Alonso in 2014, in the midst of the new regulation changes. So far, Ferrari sit in fifth in the constructors’ standings, with 33 points. Alonso is fourth in the driver standings, having not yet been on the podium, while Raikkonen sits twelfth.
Domenicali said in a statement:
It is time for a significant change. As the boss, I take responsibility, as I have always done, for our current situation.
This decision has been taken with the aim of doing something to shake things up and for the good of this group of people that I feel very close to.
With all my heart, I thank all the men and women in the team, the drivers and the partners for the wonderful relationship we have enjoyed over all these years. I hope that very soon, Ferrari will be back where it deserves to be.
President Luca di Montezemolo in turn gave praise to his colleague upon his departure, saying, “I thank Stefano Domenicali, not only for his constant dedication and effort, but also for the great sense of responsibility he has shown, even today, in always putting the interests of Ferrari above all else.”
Di Montezemolo was present at last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, where both the red cars were being dispatched over and over again by the Mercedes-Benz powered Force Indias. His body language during the race suggested he was unimpressed with where his team were progress-wise with the new power-unit and chassis.
Links have already been made to Ferrari’s former technical boss Ross Brawn as being their long term leader. In the meantime, Domenicali will be replaced by Marco Mattiacci, a man who has no experience in the racing field. Mattiacci currently serves as the CEO of Ferrari in North America.
So Roarers, does anyone think Domenicali was pushed to resign by Di Montezemolo? What will the future hold for the Scudera without Domenicali?
mike riley
Guest
Im very sad to hear that the top princable of ferrari has resigned from f1 and can the the team at ferrai please send him my best wishes to him and good luck in his new job and im sure that he will be missed by many f1 fans including me thanks mike
George Matthew
Roar Rookie
I think this was the right decision by Ferrari. Despite Domenicali seeming like a 'good-bloke', the team was just not moving forward. For a team like Ferrari knowing that their last drivers championship was won back in 2007, it must feel like a slap in the face. From a Ferrari fan's point of view, I believe that the problem is that Ferrari don't push hard enough at the start of the season (2012, this year) and when they do have a good car at the start (2013), it is often squandered and nothing much happens that year. Otherwise, nice article and hopefully Fernando and Kimi are able to perform this season!