Kimi on Mattiacci, Arrivabene and Vettel

Ousted Ferrari Formula 1 team boss Marco Mattiacci was doing “a very good job”, according to 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen.

Ferrari announced on Monday that Mattiacci was departing only eight months after replacing Stefano Domenicali, and despite the Italian having stressed his commitment to the team’s restructuring during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last weekend.

Asked by AUTOSPORT how he had rated Mattiacci’s contribution, Raikkonen replied: “Obviously I think he did a very good job. I liked him.

“I didn’t really know him before – we hadn’t met before. I think coming from outside of Formula 1 into the position he came into is definitely not easy, and I think he did a good job.”

New Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene comes to Ferrari from a senior role with its backer Phillip Morris, and has also been a member of the F1 Commission.

While backing Mattiacci, Raikkonen acknowledged that Arrivabene is well-qualified for running the F1 team.

“Obviously there was a change now,” he said. “I know Maurizio from the past and he’s a very nice guy. I think he’s the right guy in the position he’s been put in. There’s a lot of hard work, not just for him but for everyone in the team.”

“He’s known Ferrari for a long time and he’s known the business for a long time, and I think he has the right way of putting things in the right order and pushing the team to where we should be.”

Although Raikkonen’s 2015 team-mate Sebastian Vettel was denied permission to try the Ferrari during this week’s test, he joined the team in the garage on Tuesday.

Raikkonen said he “wasn’t surprised” that the German had chosen to get an early start on working with his new team, but he had not talked to him much yet.

“We were busy today so not much time to talk, plus he hasn’t driven the car yet,” said Raikkonen.

“Obviously our aim is to get the Ferrari where we should be as a team.

“We’ll fight against each other, but first of all we have to get the team where we’re supposed to be.”

[ Source: autosport.com ]

Ferrari statement on the appointment of Arrivabene

Ferrari is pleased to announce the appointment of Maurizio Arrivabene as Managing Director of Gestione Sportiva and as Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari, replacing Marco Mattiacci.

Mr Arrivabene comes to Ferrari from Philip Morris, which he joined in 1997 after a 20 years career in marketing and promotions in Italy and abroad.Maurizio Arrivabene has held a variety of posts in Philip Morris, leading up to his appointment in 2007 as Vice President of Marlboro Global Communication & Promotions for Philip Morris International and, in 2011, as Vice President Consumer Channel Strategy and Event Marketing. He has been an independent member of the board of Juventus FC since 2012 also. From 2011 to 2012 he has been a member of the Sport Business Academy (SDA Bocconi School of Management and RCS Sport), in the Advisory Team Program.

Throughout his time with Philip Morris, Maurizio Arrivabene has been closely involved in the partnership with Ferrari both in Maranello and on the world’s racing circuits. He has also represented all Formula One sponsors on the F1 Commission since 2010.

“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,” commented Ferrari Chairman Sergio Marchionne. “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”.

“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” concluded Mr Marchionne.