By Adam Tate, Managing Editor
Stefano Domenicali, best known for his time as Ferrari’s F1 Team Principal from 2008 until 2014 is now set to be sworn in as the CEO of Lamborghini on March 15th.
After being forced out of the house that Enzo built when Sergio Marchionne got rid of Luca di Montezemolo and took over Ferrari’s reigns, nice guy Domenicali was immediately snatched up by Audi. It was a move that may thought would spearhead the Volkswagen-Audi Group’s much anticipated F1 bid, until the VW emissions scandal put paid to any thought of the company launching an expensive F1 project.
The FIA also had a keen interest in the last man to lead Ferrari to a World Championship and placed him in charge of its Single-Seater Commission, that is until higher ups at VW found the place where he can do the most damage to his former employer and tapped him to replace Stephan Winkelmann as the CEO of Lamborghini.
Domenicali has some big shoes to fill. Winkelmann turned Lamborghini around for VAG, from a small hap hazard builder of wild exotics, to a true giant of the supercar world. Under Winkelmann, the launch of the Gallardo transformed Lamborghini and built the foundation for the company Domenicali now inherits; one larger than ever, with both record sales and profits. Domenicali for his part is ready, “I am very excited to be taking on the challenges of this great legacy. It is now my duty to continue the successes that my predecessor Stephan Winkelmann achieved for Automobili Lamborghini.”
Unfortunately for Stefano, if his team’s recent issues from the Rolex 24 at Daytona are any indication, he’s got some work cut out for him.
