The Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team has just announced that former Philip Morris executive Maurizio Arrivabene is set to become the racing outfit’s new team principal. He will take the role from Marco Mattiacci.
Alongside running Scuderia Ferrari, Arrivabene will be the head of Ferrari’s Sporting Activities Department which is behind the Corse Clienti and Challenge programs. While working with the cigarette company Philip Morris, Arrivabene was responsible for the marketing of Marlboro.
Discussing the appointment, Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne said, “We decided to appoint Maurizio Arrivabene because, at this historic moment in time for the Scuderia and for Formula One, 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 said.
Interestingly, former team principal Marco Mattiacci only had the role since April after the resignation of Stefano Domenicali. Marchionne also confirmed that Mattiacci has now left Ferrari after 15 years.
