[Team] Stefano Domenicali has resigned....

[davyboy]

An April fools joke ? This is an insight into the machinations at the top of Ferrari.

[alc]

Originally Posted by garcon

Remind me of the old Policeman's Ball comedy sketch.

It's at times like this we need a futile gesture, Perkins...

Beyond the Fringe - early 60's, rather than Secret Policeman's Ball 1979.

My personal view is that you've overlooked the greatest period in satire and in F1.

But keep posting.

[garcon]

Thanks for that.

[Armco Bender]

the machinations at the top of Ferrari.

Cue theme song from The Godfather.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by garcon

Thanks for that.

Your welcome ! :- )

[wnut]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I too like Stefano; and, there is something in the "corporate" approach to racing at that level (actually business) that means the nice guys will always fail. Which is why I would hate to see Ross go back.

Ferrari is not the best team in the world, it is "just" a team. Same as McLaren or Williams. I exclude the others because they have no history, but they are teams in the true sense of the word. And none of them deserve better treatment than the others, so essentially all of them are vying for an ever diminishing pot of gold.

Enter "******tics" and Ferrari and you get the sacking of people that we can equate to, in order to show that the team principals are all powerful. And here, I include Ron.

Too right!

The chairman, Luca di Montezemolo is the one that should have gone imo.

[garcon]

He might well be the next. Allegedly.

[321Go]

Originally Posted by garcon

He might well be the next. Allegedly.

Guess you'll be the first to claim it if it does.., eh?

[garcon]

Somehow I feel sure you'll beat me to it.

[Inigo Montoya]

Interesting stuff going on at Ferrari:
http://autosprint.corrieredellosport...-rapido/14929/

For those who do not read Italian, Mattiacci's first move is restructuring aimed at eliminating bureaucracy in order to speed up the decision making process. Apparently, it was becoming very difficult to get approval up the change of command for any decisions. A lot of intermediate steps have been eliminated in this new structure. de Montezemolo has also asked for technical partners to be quicker in manufacturing new parts, etc. No more siesta or mid afternoon cappucinnos?

Edit: There is also limit of 3 on the number of cc's allowed in a given email between technical staff! Apparently, they were basically cc'ing everyone and waiting for input from them all before proceeding with a decision.

[garcon]

That sounds like progress. We can only hope it translates to the track soon.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by garcon

That sounds like progress. We can only hope it translates to the track soon.

The sneak peek we've been given here has all the hallmarks of a political rats nest. The multiple cc'ing is the effect of a culture where nobody takes responsibility and everyone's trying to cover their ass. The root cause of this culture -and Ferrari's other organization difficulties - is what needs to be changed... and I don't think that was Stefano.

[Inigo Montoya]

Originally Posted by davyboy

The sneak peek we've been given here has all the hallmarks of a political rats nest. The multiple cc'ing is the effect of a culture where nobody takes responsibility and everyone's trying to cover their ass. The root cause of this culture -and Ferrari's other organization difficulties - is what needs to be changed... and I don't think that was Stefano.

I think that Mattiacci's experiences in America, together with the more North American culture brought by Marchionne (Italian-Canadian) will pay dividends in the long run.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

Edit: There is also limit of 3 on the number of cc's allowed in a given email between technical staff! Apparently, they were basically cc'ing everyone and waiting for input from them all before proceeding with a decision.

I don't find that surprising at all. Italians seem to love bureaucracy, to the point of obsession. I had first hand experience of it when I got married in Rome.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

I think that Mattiacci's experiences in America, together with the more North American culture brought by Marchionne (Italian-Canadian) will pay dividends in the long run.

His experiences in Italy will probably be more helpful (!)

[Inigo Montoya]

I am not sure what you mean davyboy.. I was referring to the more streamlined and efficient management that is prevalent on this side of the pond, when compared to the Italian management culture.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

I am not sure what you mean davyboy.. I was referring to the more streamlined and efficient management that is prevalent on this side of the pond, when compared to the Italian management culture.

There's no shortage of competent managers, with experience of American management techniques, in Italy. That doesn't mean they can upend the culture at Ferrari... particularly when they will be reporting to the person who created that culture... and seems to still be ultimately in charge there !

[Inigo Montoya]

Originally Posted by davyboy

There's no shortage of competent managers, with experience of American management techniques, in Italy. That doesn't mean they can upend the culture at Ferrari... particularly when they will be reporting to the person who created that culture... and seems to still be ultimately in charge there !

Well Marchionne seems to have done quite a nice job turning around FIAT/Chrysler.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

Well Marchionne seems to have done quite a nice job turning around FIAT/Chrysler.

The challenge there, however, was turning Chrysler around.

... in any event, let's see. I wish the new boy the very best and hope he can make a positive difference.

[321Go]

Here we go again. Didn't Ferrari try this a few years back? Even brought in an expert in teamwork (Italian Air force commander) to help the team with 'teamwork and communication'?

So Ferrari wants to increase teamwork and communication - by restricting emails to just three people?? That should work well then.

If I remember correctly when they tried to get rid of bureaucracy a few years back, they also got rid of Aldo Costa - the man behind the current Mercedes W05 chassis. That worked out well for Ferrari didn't it.

And now Stefano Domenicali. Both scapegoats.

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by davyboy

The challenge there, however, was turning Chrysler around.

... in any event, let's see. I wish the new boy the very best and hope he can make a positive difference.

We can only hope, as for Domenicali, I'm surprised he managed to stay that long... a italian that didn't behave as a italian.

[321Go]

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

Ross Brawn seems the obvious shoe-in for the job. Which probably means it won't happen.

Interesting you should say that. Reports from Italy suggests Ross Brawn was spotted in Maranello yesterday.

[wnut]

Dominicali should be able to write blank cheques as a strategy consultant to the lesser teams in the negotiations with Bernie and possible action against the FIA and the big teams with the European Union.

[F1Pete]

An article relating to Ross..

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns27924.html

[321Go]

Brawn plays down Ferrari F1 factory visit