Stefano Domenicali


Stefano Domenicali is an Italian manager and CEO of Italian sports car manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.. From 2008 to 2014 he was the team principal of the Ferrari Formula One team. From 2019 he is part of Channel 4's F1 coverage at selected races. Under his leadership Ferrari won their last Formula One World Championship to date.

Early life

Domenicali was born in Imola, the son of a banker
As a child, he used to go to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track at weekends to help out in the paddock and in the media centre.

Career

Domenicali studied business administration at Bologna University, graduating in 1991. Upon graduation he joined Ferrari where he worked in the finance department. Between 1992 and 1994, he was race director at Mugello and was involved in DTM and other racing series. 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.
He remained there until January 2001. After a brief stint as Logistics Manager, he became the team's Sporting Director in 2002.
On 12 November 2007 Ferrari announced Domenicali would take on the role of Director of the Ferrari Formula One team, a position previously held by Jean Todt, and became team principal in 2008. Under his leadership, Ferrari won the 2008 Constructors' Championship, before enduring a less competitive season in which the team won only a single race. In, the team won five races and finished third in the Constructors' Championship, behind Red Bull Racing and McLaren. Domenicali led the team into, which saw Alonso finish fourth in the championship table, two places ahead of Massa in sixth. Then came the 2012 season, which saw Fernando Alonso just missing out on the title, despite having a largely uncompetitive car. 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" by Top Gear magazine for keeping Ferrari at sharp end of F1, against the odds. Domenicali resigned as Ferrari team principal in April 2014.
In October 2014, Domenicali was hired by Audi. He was also appointed as head of the FIA's Single-Seater Commission. On 15 March 2016 he was appointed CEO at Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., succeeding Stephan Winkelmann.