Marchionne: A Ferrari that doesn’t win in F1 is not a Ferrari
Officially president of Ferrari since October 13, Sergio Marchionne did not hold back in announcing the path to follow for the future and for the Italian brand to reclaim the heights of Formula 1.
Officially appointed at the head of Ferrari to replace Luca di Montezemolo on Monday, October 13, Sergio Marchionne did not hide his desire to shake things up significantly – both at the company and elsewhere – to bring success back to Maranello.
The most successful team in the premier category, with 16 World Constructors’ Championship titles, the latest dating back to the 2008 season, Ferrari has won only twelve Grand Prix since 2009.
When interviewed by Autocar, Marchionne expressed his eagerness for the situation to change: “We need to kick some butt and we need to do it quickly. It is what it is. We might make mistakes, but we have nothing to lose, right? Let’s try something,” he stated.
For him, the situation is unacceptable and the result of the Italian Grand Prix stood out to him: « I am constantly reminded that racing is not a science, that many factors influence performance. And then I go to Monza and see that the first six cars are not Ferraris or are not equipped with a Ferrari engine, and my blood just boiled. »
« This continues to be my main objective, for Ferrari to move forward. A Ferrari that doesn’t win on a Formula 1 circuit is not a Ferrari, » he said before concluding: « I can live with periods of bad luck, but it cannot become a structural element of the brand. »
The Marchionne era should open with the arrival, soon, in Maranello of Sebastian Vettel in place of Fernando Alonso who is going to leave, according to Montezemolo.
