Räikkönen: Arrivabene is perfect for the role of team principal at Ferrari

The day after the last race of the Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari announced the departure of Marco Mattiacci, immediately replaced by Mauricio Arrivabene.

According to Kimi Räikkönen, who knows Italian well, this choice is perfect for bringing Ferrari back to the highest level: I have known Mauricio for a long time and I think he is an extremely competent person, and perfect for the role of sporting director that he has just been given. Mauricio has known Ferrari and the Formula 1 business for quite some time, and I think he has the ability to motivate and push the team to the level it deserves.

The Ferrari team is already working on the 2015 car to ensure that next season is not as mediocre as the last one: Everyone in the team, in all areas of activity, will have to face hard work to get the new car ready. The team’s priorities are clear and we are well aware of the areas that do not meet our expectations. I am sure that thanks to the experience we have gained over the past season, we will be able to develop a more competitive car.

However, it may be complicated to progress quickly, constrained in particular by the current regulations that prevent teams from greatly modifying their design: « The progress we will make will depend on the available time and the possibilities offered by the regulations, which for the moment, impose certain limits for everyone. But I have confidence in the team’s ability. »

In 2015, Ferrari will thus field five world drivers’ championship titles with the pair composed of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen. Additional pressure not to miss the season.