Piero Ferrari “Excited about Generational Change” Underway at Ferrari

While the automotive world is in a snit about the changes being made at supercar maker and racing powerhouse (well, former powerhouse, anyway) Ferrari, the guy you’d think would have the most sentimental attachment to the company doesn’t seem to have a problem with them. According to a report on Fox Sports, which in turn quotes La Gazzetta dollo Sport (click here if you can read Italian), Piero Lardi Ferrari, the only living son of company founder Enzo Ferrari, has voiced support for Ferrari’s newly installed chief Sergio Marchionne and the changes he is making. Marchionne, who already has his hands full as FCA chairman, stepped in to replace Luca Cordero di Montezemolo after he rage-quit back in September after 23 years in charge. Ferrari characterizes Marchionne as a person who “hates delays…works hard, recognizing and solving problems instantly.”

“I saw him speaking clearly and honestly, without subterfuge or like a politician,” Ferrari is quoted as saying. “My father would have understood [Marchionne] at a glance.”

The company has endured a bit of an upheaval in the wake of several seasons of coming up short in F1, with many other high-level executives being shown the door, including the F1 team principal. According to the report, Mr. Ferrari referenced a point in the company’s history in late 1961, when Enzo himself did something similar to Marchionne, firing his seven top executives and starting fresh. “I am excited by the generational change that is underway. Companies evolve, but Formula One forces you to renew yourself.”

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We are looking forward to seeing Ferrari how renews itself, particularly in racing—putting Sebastian Vettel in the driver’s seat can’t hurt—and hopefully getting back on the podium a bit more often in 2015.

from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com/piero-ferrari-excited-about-generational-change-underway-at-ferrari/