Mattiacci Out at Ferrari

[cosworth151]

He lasted a whole seven months.

Marco Mattiacci is out as Team Principal at Ferrari He will be replaced by Maurizio Arrivabene. Arrivabene is a marketing and promotions guy from Philip Morris. Yes, they are the makers of long-time Ferrari sponsor Marlboro cigarettes. Arrivabene has also represented all Formula One sponsors on the F1 commission since 2010.

http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/ferrari-formula-one-team-names-new-team-principal-latest-shakeup

[John S]

I think He's a victim for being part of Luca's legacy, and the new head honcho wants to clear all the decks. But I'm left with the impression it's also very significant to see Mattiacci leave Ferrari completely.

Normally a caretaker manager could expect a sideways move back into such a big organisation as FIAT/Ferrari, so something has clearly caused a bigger problem here.   

The para below, by Adam Cooper on master.motorsport.com, throws a bit more light on the firing.

Mattiacci fell out of favour with Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne, and his handling of the departure of Fernando Alonso – which led to a huge pay-off to the Spanish driver after the team was left with three World Champions under contract for next season – clearly did not help. Just eight months after being chosen by Luca di Montezemolo to run the F1 team, he is out of the company.

Also with the appointment of an F1 commission insider is Marchione seeking to turn back time, hoping to reinstate the old Ferrari Internationale Assistance? 

 

[Scott]

I was also surprised he wasn't moved back into the mother ship somewhere.  What I also find significant is that Arrivabene is from Phillip Morris, who I believe paid (and will continue to) pay Alonso's retainer.

[Irisado]

It's all a bit of a mess really.  I can't see Ferrari making much progress in 2015 with all the fallout from this going on in the background.  I don't think that Matiacci was doing a good job, but eight months wasn't much of a chance for him to prove the doubters, like me, wrong.