Stefano Domenicali (born 11 May 1965) is an Italian manager and the current CEO of Formula One Group, replacing Chase Carey. He was the CEO of Italian sports car manufacturer Lamborghini from 2016 to 2020. He was the team principal of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula One team. Under his leadership Ferrari won their last Formula One World Constructors' Championship to date.
Stefano Domenicali | |
|---|---|
 Domenicali in 2020 | |
| Born | 11 May 1965 Imola, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation(s) | Former Team Principal of Ferrari 2008–2014 Former CEO and President of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. 2016–2020 CEO of Formula One Group 2021– |
Early life
editDomenicali was born in Imola, the son of a banker.[1] As a child, he used to go to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari racetrack at weekends to help out in the paddock and in the media centre – an experience that piqued his interest in motor racing.[2]
Career
editDomenicali studied business administration at University of Bologna, graduating in 1991.[3] Upon graduation he joined Ferrari where he worked in the finance department. Between 1992 and 1994, he was race director at Mugello and was involved in DTM and other racing series.[4] In 1995 he was appointed head of personnel in Ferrari's sporting department and was involved with sponsorship liaison, before being promoted to Team Manager in December 1996.[5]
He remained there until January 2001. After a brief stint as Logistics Manager,[5] he became the team's Sporting Director in 2002.[5] On 12 November 2007 Ferrari announced Domenicali would take on the role of Director of the Ferrari Formula One team, a position previously held by Jean Todt, and became team principal in 2008.[3] Under his leadership, Ferrari won the 2008 Constructors' Championship, before enduring a less competitive 2009 season in which the team won only a single race. In 2010, the team won five races and finished third in the Constructors' Championship, behind Red Bull Racing and McLaren. Domenicali led the team into 2011, which saw Fernando Alonso finish fourth in the championship table, two places ahead of Felipe Massa in sixth. Then came the 2012 season, which saw Fernando Alonso just missing out on the title; a result masked by his outstanding performance, since his teammate was 156 points behind him. He and Ferrari claimed three Grand Prix victories and placed second in both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships. He was named one of "The Men of the Year 2012" by Top Gear magazine for keeping Ferrari at sharp end of F1, against the odds.[citation needed] Domenicali resigned as Ferrari team principal in April 2014.[6]
In October 2014, Domenicali was hired by Audi.[7] He was also appointed as head of the FIA's Single-Seater Commission.[8] On 15 March 2016 he was appointed CEO at Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. He was replaced by Stephan Winkelmann on 1 December 2020.[9]
In September 2020, it was announced that Domenicali would replace Chase Carey as CEO of Formula One Group from the 2021 season.[10]
Domenicali has also defended F1 using Qatar and Saudi Arabia for F1 races, after he was criticised. There has been widespread criticism over the use of slave labour in Persian Gulf countries.[11]
References
edit- ^ Allen, James. "Stefano Domenicali - Leading from the Front". JA on F1. James Allen. Archived from the original on 25 October 2008.
- ^ "Profile: Stefano Dominicali". ESPN.co.uk. ESPN Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Domenicali Ferrari Bio".
- ^ "Interview with FerrariWorld Channel". YouTube.
- ^ a b c "People: Stefano Domenicali". GrandPrix.com. Inside F1, Inc. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- ^ "Ferrari: Stefano Domenicali quits as boss of F1 team". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- ^ "Domenicali to start work at Audi this week". GPUpdate.net. JHED Media BV. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- ^ "New FIA Formula 2 must be 'difficult and physical' - Domenicali". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
- ^ Dobie, Stephen (23 February 2016). "Stefano Domenicali is Lamborghini's new boss". BBC Top Gear. BBC Worldwide Ltd. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- ^ "Stefano Domenicali to replace Chase Carey as F1 CEO". Sky Sports. 23 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ "F1 defends hosting races in Qatar and Saudi Arabia after human rights criticism". Independent.co.uk. 18 November 2021.