Elkann denies turmoil still afoot at Ferrari (Update)

John Elkann

UPDATE (GMM) Fiat Chrysler chairman John Elkann has hit back at rumors that turmoil is still afoot at Ferrari.

Following the death of Sergio Marchionne in 2018, Elkann stepped up to be his replacement and Louis Camilleri installed as the new Ferrari president.

Now, Maurizio Arrivabene has been ousted as Ferrari team boss, replaced by technical director Mattia Binotto. But it is rumored that former Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali could now be drafted in to replace Camilleri.

Elkann moved to play down the latest rumblings of turmoil.

"I am surprised to read the words that are attributed to me," he insisted.

"I feel obliged to clarify some points and tell the truth.

"The appointment of Mattia Binotto as team principal does not represent a revolution, nor did it arise from alleged disagreements within the team," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"On the contrary, it is a line of continuity that aims at evolution. It's certainly not a break with respect to the past," Elkann insisted.

He also denied that Camilleri's place as Ferrari president may be short-lived, amid the Domenicali rumors.

"My commitment to ensure stability and concentration at Ferrari is total, as is that of the CEO Louis Camilleri," Elkann said.

"Together, with the contribution of all the men and women of Ferrari, we will reach our goals. Our customers and our fans all over the world guarantee maximum determination and responsibility."

01/16/19 (GMM) More changes at Ferrari could be looming in "the coming months".

That is the claim of John Elkann, who took over at the Maranello marque in the wake of Sergio Marchionne's shock death last year.

His first major act was to oust team boss Maurizio Arrivabene, reportedly in order to ensure that his successor, technical boss Mattia Binotto, stays.

"I have been dealing directly with Ferrari for a few months only," Elkann said at the Detroit auto show. "There was the need to strengthen the organizational structure of the team."

He described Binotto as a "figure with unquestionable technical competence".

It is suggested that Binotto will not ultimately keep both the team boss and technical director roles.

Former Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali, now the CEO of Lamborghini, has been linked with a return to Maranello.

So, too, has the young driver Mick Schumacher.

When asked about those rumors, Elkann said: "I cannot anticipate decisions that will be taken within the Scuderia in the coming months.

"We will talk about it at the right time," he is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We want to build a future worthy of our winning past," Elkann added. "We want to win the world championship as soon as possible — we have been losing too much time."