FIA President Jean Todt has paid tribute to the late Sergio Marchionne, the ex CEO of Scuderia Ferrari.
Marchionne died on Wednesday, 25 July, after his heath had worsened due to a recent shoulder operation. He had recently stepped down from his executive posts following the surgery, being replaced by Lois C. Camilleri as the new CEO of the Italian team, while John Elkann has been instated as chairman.
Before his death, Marchionne was heavily involved with the partnership the Fiat Group had with American car manufacturer Chrysler, the company later becoming one of the largest producers of cars in the world. He also assisted the company in recovering from a $6 billion financial loss.
He replaced Luca di Montezemolo as the CEO of Ferrari in 2014. In the post, he had helped the team into a position where they have been able to win four out of the eleven races so far this season, and also made them a contender in the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. Marchionne was also instrumental in bringing car maker Alfa Romeo back into Formula 1; they are a title sponsor for Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team for the 2018 season.
It is with great sadness that I learned that Sergio Marchionne tragically and unexpectedly passed away.”, said Todt.
“Sergio achieved a colossal amount for the automotive industry and motor sport worldwide. He dedicated himself fully to turn around the FIAT-Chtysler group and put all his energy to bring Scuderia Ferrari back to the top.”
He added: “He was an endearing, upstanding and brave man, an unconventional and visionary leader. He was an eminent member of the FIA F1 Strategy Group and of the FIA High-Level Panel for Road Safety.”
“His death is a considerable loss. On behalf of the entire FIA community, all my thoughts go out to his family, his friends, and his Ferrari and Fiat-Chysler group teams.”
