Stefano Domenicali’s resignation as Ferrari Team Principal on Monday morning may have come as a shock to some Formula One fans. But, after a series of fruitless years for the Scuderia under his stewardship, has the 48-year-old long been working on borrowed time? Dan Paddock investigates.
Following a series of rumours amongst the Italian press on Monday morning, the confirmation that Stefano Domenicali would indeed be stepping down from his role as Ferrari Team Principal, to be replaced by relative unknown Marco Mattiacci, come somewhat as a surprise to the majority of the F1 world.
In a final statement released by the Italian, he explained that his decision came in response to the Scuderia’s poor start to the 2014 campaign, which sees them mired in fifth in the constructors’ championship, 78 points adrift of leaders – and only other manufacturer team – Mercedes.