Luca di Montezemolo back on the Pit Wall

Luca di Montezemolo

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says he will be more involved in the running of the Formula 1 team in order to help new team boss Marco Mattiacci.

The Italian squad announced on Monday that Stefano Domenicali was stepping down from the role he has held since 2008 with immediate effect.

Domenicali has been replaced by the president and CEO of Ferrari North America Mattiacci.

Di Montezemolo is convinced the Italian is the right person for the job despite his apparent lack of experience in racing, and the Ferrari head said he will personally assist him.

"I will help him, I will do like I did in the past: I will stay closer to Formula 1, I'll spend more time on it," di Montezemolo was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The first person at being not satisfied at the moment is me, but don't worry, I'm putting myself on the line: Mattiacci is the right choice, we'll get back to winning ways very soon.

"I've decided to go for a young manager I strongly believe in, and on a person from the Ferrari family, thus avoiding me going around the world looking for some mercenary.

"Let's look ahead: we all must roll up our sleeves in order to be competitive again."

Di Montezemolo believes Mattiacci's lack of technical knowledge is irrelevant in his new position.

"Underlining that Mattiacci is not a technician is useless and unfair," he said. "Moreover, I chose him in full accord with (Fiat CEO Sergio) Marchionne.

"We are full of talented people with qualities and capabilities and we are full of technicians, from whom I now expect an immediate reaction."

Ferrari's president also praised Domenicali for having the courage to step down when he had the support of the team.

"After 23 years with us, Stefano has had the courage of resigning, a rare occurrence in our country. He pays for the lack of results, it's a rule in sports," he added.

"But let me remind you that since 2007 we have won three world titles and we have nearly won as many more, a couple of them at the season's finale.

"It's no small achievement and that must not be forgotten, also because it didn't happen a century ago."

Source: autosport.com