Google+ Jack Leslie F1: New Ferrari team principal needs time - Alonso

17 April 2014

New Ferrari team principal needs time - Alonso

Fernando Alonso says Ferrari's new team principal Marco Mattiacci needs time to settle into his new role, adding that it is too early to make a judgement on his promotion.
© Ferrari
Stefano Domenicali's resignation from the Scuderia was announced on Monday, with Mattiacci immediately being confirmed as his replacement.

Some were surprised by his appointment, as he doesn't have any experience working in Formula 1 and was previously the CEO of Ferrari North America. The Chinese Grand Prix will be his first race in charge of the iconic outfit.

"I think we need to give him time and try to see how he settles down," Alonso said in the FIA driver press conference at the Shanghai International Circuit on Thursday.

"It is too early to say he will be very good or very bad, we need to make sure he has all the facilities ready, technical stuff ready and team behind him to settle down as quickly as possible.

"We will try to put him in a position to feel comfortable from day one. We are really hoping he will be a successful manager in the team and everyone is looking forward."

The Spaniard admitted that he had yet to talk to his new boss: "I haven’t had the chance [to speak to him]. I don’t know if he’s coming here, I guess so, so it would be a good time to welcome him,"

"I don’t really have much to say. I drive the car. He will be good enough to recognise what are the weak areas of the team, what are the strong areas of the team and hopefully improve them."

Alonso was close to Domenicali and said the Italian made a "very responsible" move in stepping down, adding: "It's not easy when you have a very privileged position in a Formula One team, to step back and say 'maybe it is better to move'. He did it for Ferrari to improve and for Ferrari's interest, so that is something that we cannot forget and we have to respect the decision.

"From that point it is not as if at this race we will improve one second, because it's not as if Stefano was doing the front wing or rear wing by his hands, so we need to wait a bit of time and see what we can improve. We will try to help all the team with the new people coming, to make us stronger and try to get back some of the success from the past."

Kimi Raikkonen said the change will not create any miracles or vast improvements in the short term. "I don't know him, we've probably met before," the Finn told reporters at the circuit. "He will have great people around him and lots of people to help him, so I don't think there will be any issues.

"I'm sure he will be very good at whatever he does and will do everything in his power to push us forwards. It will not change things suddenly around and will not make any miracles. We know where we are and we know where we have to improve and it doesn't change overnight."

Commenting on Domenicali's exit, he said: "Everybody was a bit surprised but obviously that was Stefano's own decision as I understand. If he felt like that then fair enough and life goes on. 

"It's sad because obviously he was a great guy and I worked with him for many years. Even when I didn't race for him I spoke with him. That's how it goes and I'm sure we can handle this kind of thing."

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