Scuderia icon, Luca di Montezemolo enters the organization chart of McLaren Group. An unexpected decision that makes a lot of noise in the paddock.
This is an announcement that does not go unnoticed in the world of Formula 1. Luca Di Montezemolo, which was one of the symbols of Ferrari’s success for decades, has just been officially appointed to the board of directors of McLaren Group Holdings Limited. The information was revealed on June 27, via documents filed in the UK’s companies (Companies House).
Di Montezemolo, now 76, has marked the history of Scuderia. He was notably at the origin of Ferrari’s revival in the 1990s, attracting major figures such as Jean Todt, Ross Brawn and of course Michael Schumacher. This shock team allowed the Italian brand to dominate F1 for much of the 2000s.
An unexpected transition from the rival stable
After leaving Ferrari in 2014 following strategic disputes with Sergio Marchionne, then CEO of Fiat, Di Montezemolo was more discreet in the world of F1. His return by the big door to a historic competitor like McLaren therefore arouses many questions.
In addition to Zak Brown, current managing director of McLaren Racing, and Paul Walsh, executive president of the group, Luca Di Montezemolo thus joins an in full change. Especially since this appointment comes in parallel with the resignation of three administrators from the Middle East, while the McLaren group is still mainly held by the sovereign fund of Bahrain, Mumtalakat.
A still vague but strategic role
For the moment, neither McLaren Group nor the McLaren F1 team have officially commented on the arrival of the former Ferrari leader. It is therefore not yet clear if Luca di Montezemolo will have a direct influence on the activities of the F1 team or if it will focus on more global decisions on the group level.
His expertise in managing an automotive brand and his successes spent in motorsport, however, make him an asset of weight. It remains to be seen whether this appointment will influence McLaren’s strategy in the coming months, both on track and outside.
