FERRARI’S TROUBLED SUCCESSION PLAN

Since winning five consecutive double world championships – from 2000-04 – under the leadership of Jean Todt, success has been patchy for Ferrari. Todt (above, right) handed over the reins of the team to Stefano Domenicali (above, left) in ’08, remaining on the board until March ’09. Since then the team has endured 10 seasons without a title.

Todt, who started work with Ferrari at the 1993 French Grand Prix after a successful spell leading the Peugeot

Group C sportscar project, oversaw almost 100 race victories. While Domenicali was a popular successor, he was eventually axed early in the 2014 season when it became clear that Ferrari had missed the mark with its new V6 hybrid turbo engine. Ironically, many of the changes Domenicali’s regime made at the start of ’14 laid the foundations for the team hitting back, but he was no longer there to reap the benefits.

Domenicali’s successor, Marco Mattiacci, lasted just eight months and was removed by Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne at the end of the 2014 season. While Mattiacci was not held responsible for that season’s disappointing results, there were question marks over his motivation and his political skills – particularly in his relationship with Bernie Ecclestone, which was not considered close enough.

This is what made Maurizio Arrivabene the logical successor. In his role with Ferrari sponsor Philip Morris, he was a long-time member of the F1 Commission and knew the political landscape well. But after four seasons, he too was considered not to be the right man and, before his untimely death, Marchionne was already planning to make a change.

Mattia Binotto is the fourth man to attempt to live up to the Todt legacy. History suggests he will be up against it but, given the positive impact he has had on the team in his time as chief technical officer, there is reason to believe he may have the best chance of success.