Publications
Partners
• Arrivabene appointed F1 team boss
• Third man to run Ferrari in 2014year
• New principal from Philip Morris
Arrivabene joins from sponsor Philip Morris where he held senior positions in marketing and promotions. He is also an independent board member of Juventus soccer club.
Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne said in a statement that the team and F1 needed "a person with a thorough understanding not only of Ferrari but also the governance mechanisms and requirements of the sport”.
CHALLENGE AT THE HELM
Marchionne added: "Maurizio has a unique wealth of knowledge. He has been extremely close to the scuderia for years and, as a member of the F1 Commission, is also keenly aware of the challenges we are facing He has been a constant source of innovative ideas focused on the revitalisation of F1.
"His managerial experience on a highly complex and closely regulated market is also of great importance."
Mattiacci replaced Stefano Domenicali when the latter resigned as team principal in April 2014. Mattiacci was parachuted in from Ferrari North America where he was president and chief executive. He never looked comfortable in the high-profile sporting role, however, while Ferrari's performance on the track continued to decline.
The team ended the season in Abu Dhabi without a single race win for the first time since 1993 and the conclusion of the campaign also saw the departure of double F1 champion Fernando Alonso. Germany's four-times champion Sebastian Vettel will replace him.
STRUGGLING FERRARI
Ferrari has also had upheaval at the very top with the enforced departure of long-serving president Luca di Montezemolo, a link with the team's late founder Enzo, in October 2014. He has been been replaced by Fiat Chrysler chief executive Marchionne.
Arrivabene, Ferrari says, will ensure that Ferrari has and F1 insider at the helm at a time when the sport faces considerable financial challenges with two small teams plunging into administration and fears that others could follow.
There are calls to reduce the price of the new V6 turbo-hybrid engines and for a more even distribution of revenue, currently heavily skewed towards big teams such as Ferrari, the sport's oldest and most successful outfit.
Arrivabene has represented all sponsors on the F1 commission since 2010, a role that means he is well acquainted with the sport's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone.