(formula1.ferrari.com)
It's official! Just one day after the 2014 Formula One season finale in Abu Dhabi Scuderia Ferrari have confirmed the appointment of former Philip Morris Vice President Maurizio Arrivabene as Marco Mattiacci's replacement as Ferrari team principal.
Mattiacci was appointed interim team principal to the Italian team in April following the resignation of Stefano Domenicali.
In his first race with the Scuderia, the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai circuit, Mattiacci saw Fernando Alonso finish the race on the podium in third place. Alonso went on to collect just one more podium at the Hungarian Grand Prix where he finished the race in second place 5.2 seconds behind race winner Infiniti Red Bull Racing's Daniel Ricciardo.
While Fernando Alonso managed to get to grips with the F14-T his team Kimi Raikkonen who returned to Ferrari to replace Felipe Massa this season had a far more difficult season as the Finn failed to finish on the podium and ended the season in 12th place in the championship on 55 points.
Fernando Alonso finished the season in 6th place on 161 points and ahead of the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi at the weekend it was announced by Ferrari that the double world champion who has been with the Italian team since replacing Kimi Raikkonen in 2010 was leaving the team and would be replaced by quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel who has signed a three year deal.
Arrivabene's arrival at the team as Managing Director of Gestione Sportiva and Team Principal is just the last in a list of BIG changes at Maranello in 2014 which started with the return of Kimi Raikkonen. Stefano Domenicali announced his departure from the team in April and this was followed by the news that Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemelo would leave the team and was replaced by FIAT Chairman Sergio Marchionne who took over the role last month.
In a statement on their website Scuderia Ferrari confirmed Arrivabene's appointment:
'We decided to appoint Maurizio Arrivabene because, at this historic moment in time for the Scuderia and for Formula 1, we need a person with a thorough understanding not just of Ferrari but also of the governance mechanisms and requirements of the sport.
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 revitalisation of Formula One. His managerial experience on a highly complex and closely regulated market is also of great importance, and will help him manage and motivate the team. I am delighted to have been able to secure his leadership for our racing activities .'
Ferrari President Sergio Marchionne went on to thank Marco Mattiacci for the work that he did with the Italian team saying:
'We would also like to thank Marco Mattiacci for his service to Ferrari in the last 15 years and we wish him well in his future endeavours '.
© Ben Johnston 2014
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