Luca di Montezemolo leaves Ferrari

The weekend in Monza was marked by cross-communication operations between Luca di Montezemolo and the president of the parent company, FIAT.

Thus, the president of Ferrari decided to call a press conference in front of the Scuderia’s motorhome only half an hour before the start of the qualifications. He took the opportunity to declare that he would only leave Ferrari when and if he wished. These statements were not well received by Sergio Marchionne, who chose not to attend the Italian Grand Prix.

The words of the FIAt Chrysler president were thus unequivocal: « I am simply saying that this is something that must be resolved. It is one thing to sell cars and achieve results, but another essential thing for what we do—not the market—is to represent a victorious Ferrari in Formula 1. This is a non-negotiable point and remains a clear objective. We cannot accept a different situation. I do not want to see drivers in 7th or 12th position: I am not interested in that, nor is FIAt. »

Three days later, this materializes with the announcement of the resignation of the man who is only the second president of Ferrari, after the founder Enzo Ferrari. The main reason for the disagreement between the two men is the role that the brand should play in the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles empire and the strategy to be pursued in the coming months. Indeed, Luca di Montezemolo wants to limit total production to increase prices and residual value for his clients, while Sergio Marchionne would prefer to increase production, even if it means selling these cars for less.

The upcoming initial public offering of the parent company next month is thus a trigger for a fundamental movement and reorganization: « Ferrari will play an important role in the upcoming listing of FIAt Chrysler Automobiles Group on Wall Street. This will open a new and different phase, and I feel it should be led by the group’s CEO. It is, therefore, the end of an era, and I have decided to step down from my position as chairman after 23 wonderful unforgettable years, in addition to those spent alongside Enzo Ferrari in the 1970s. »

It is rumored that Marco Mattiacci, the current president of the Scuderia, could replace him. This would be all the more logical since he was long the president of Ferrari in North America. He is therefore very familiar with the American markets and investors, which can only reassure them in the coming months.

This raises the question of his potential replacement at the head of the Scuderia. The name of Ross Brawn should therefore return to the forefront very quickly. But will the man who made a fortune from the sale of Brawn GP be interested in such a challenge when the team might also lose Fernando Alonso?

With the participation of www.Racingbusiness.fr