Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has resigned from his position at the Italian outfit, admitting he is to blame for their troubles.
The 48-year-old will step down with immediate effect. Marco Mattiacci, president and CEO of Ferrari North America, will take up the role going forward.
Speaking about the decision, Domenicali took the blame for a lull in Ferrari’s performance which has seen them without a championship since 2007 and without a podium in 2014 so far.
“There are special moments that come along in everyone’s professional life, when one needs courage to take difficult and agonising decisions,” he said.
“It is time for a significant change. As the boss, I take responsibility for our current situation.
“This decision has been taken with the aim of doing something to shake things up for the good of this group.
“I hope Ferrari will be back where it deserves to be very soon. I only regret that we have been unable to harvest what we worked so hard to sow in recent years.”
President of Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo, praised Domenicali for taking such a difficult decision in the interest of the team.
“I thank Stefano Domenicali, not only for his constant dedication and effort, but also for the great sense of responsibility he has shown, even today, in always putting the interests of Ferrari above all else,” he added.
“I hold Domenicali in esteem and I have watched him grow professionally over the 23 years we have worked together. I wish him every success for the future.
“I also wish all the best to Marco Mattiacci, whom I know to be a highly regarded manager and who knows the company well.
“He has accepted this challenge with enthusiasm.”
