Stefano Domenicali | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Domenicali in 2020 | |
| Born | (1965-05-11)11 May 1965 (age 60) Imola, Italy |
| Occupation(s) | Former Team Principal ofFerrari (2008–2014) Former CEO and President ofAutomobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (2016–2020) CEO and President ofFormula One Group (2021-) |
Stefano Domenicali (born 11 May 1965) is an Italianmotorsport executive and the currentCEO ofFormula One Group since 2021.
Domenicali was born inImola,[1][2] the son of a banker.[3] As a child, he used to go to theAutodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari racetrack at weekends to help out in the paddock and in the media centre – an experience that piqued his interest in motor racing.[4]
Domenicali studied business administration atUniversity of Bologna, graduating in 1991.[5] Upon graduation he joined Ferrari where he worked in the finance department. Between 1992 and 1994, he was race director atMugello and was involved inDTM and other racing series.[6] In 1995 he was appointed head of personnel in Ferrari's sporting department and was involved with sponsorship liaison, before being promoted to Team Manager in December 1996.[7]
He remained there until January 2001. After a brief stint as Logistics Manager,[7] he became the team's Sporting Director in2002.[7]On 12 November 2007 Ferrari announced Domenicali would take on the role of Director of theFerrariFormula One team, a position previously held byJean Todt, and became team principal in 2008.[5] Under his leadership, Ferrari won the 2008 Constructors' Championship, before enduring a less competitive2009 season in which the team won only a single race. In2010, the team won five races and finished third in the Constructors' Championship, behindRed Bull Racing andMcLaren. Domenicali led the team into2011, which saw Fernando Alonso finish fourth in the championship table, two places ahead of Felipe Massa in sixth. Then came the2012 season, which sawFernando Alonso just missing out on the title; a result masked by his outstanding performance, since his teammate was 156 points behind him. He and Ferrari claimed three Grand Prix victories and placed second in both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships. He was named one of "The Men of the Year 2012" byTop Gear magazine for keeping Ferrari at sharp end of F1, against the odds.[citation needed] Domenicali resigned as Ferrari team principal in April 2014.[8]
In October 2014, Domenicali was hired byAudi.[9] He was also appointed as head of theFIA's Single-Seater Commission.[10] On 15 March 2016 he was appointed CEO at AutomobiliLamborghini S.p.A. He was replaced byStephan Winkelmann on 1 December 2020.[11]
In September 2020, it was announced that Domenicali would replaceChase Carey as CEO ofFormula One Group from the 2021 season.[12]
Domenicali has also defended F1 using Qatar and Saudi Arabia for F1 races, after he was criticised. There has been widespread criticism over the use of slave labour in Persian Gulf countries.[13]
