World title remains the goal for Ferrari under Mattiacci

  • Published on 18 Apr 2014 14:29
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Marco Mattiacci wore sunglasses all day in cloudy, smoggy Shanghai.n"I have not slept in the last 40 hours," explained Ferrari's brand new team boss, who is mere days into his shock new tenure in the wake of Stefano Domenicali's exit.

The second the 43-year-old first stepped into the Shanghai paddock on Friday, a swarm of photographers never left his side. The anticipation of Mattiacci's first words to the press were so highly anticipated because - running Ferrari North America aside - he is totally unknown. "I like motor sports and have spent about 20 days at race tracks," he is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. "Three times I have seen the 24 hours of Daytona. But, of course, that is not formula one."

Indeed it is not, but Mattiacci insists he can bring "new perspectives" to arguably the highest-pressure job at the pinnacle of motor racing. He has been on the Ferrari payroll for 14 years, as president Luca di Montezemolo said during the week that he preferred promoting from within rather than headhunting a "mercenary" like Ross Brawn.

But his experience at Maranello's fabled Gestione Sportiva can now be counted in the mere dozens of hours. The first phone call was on Monday."I was in New York when I got the call from Luca di Montezemolo at 5.58," Mattiacci smiled. "At first I thought it was a joke. Afterwards I flew to Milan where I had three meetings. My predecessor Domenicali was there as well."

Admitting his surprise at landing the top job in red aside, the main message of Mattiacci's first meeting with the press on Friday was to deny reports and rumours that Ferrari is already preparing to write off the 2014 title. "We do not give up," he insisted. "The world title must remain the goal. Ferrari has many talented people, the budget, good tools, pride and a great history. The aim must be to bridge the gap to Mercedes as soon as possible. It is going to be a very difficult task." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar