Italian businessman John Elkann has found himself at the center of a heated controversy, with speculation swirling over whether he intends to sell some of his most valuable assets. Rumors suggest that even Ferrari, the legendary Maranello-based automaker, could be on the table, igniting strong reactions from fans and media alike.
Critics argue that John Elkann has overseen declining results across several high-profile ventures. While Ferrari continues to sell cars successfully, thanks to its rich heritage, the F1 team has struggled to claim victories in recent years. Meanwhile, Juventus has lost much of the prestige it once held, and Fiat’s performance has steadily declined under his leadership. The perception among many is that whatever John Elkann touches seems to weaken over time. Now, reports of potential sales extend beyond industry assets to include historic newspapers and possibly even Ferrari itself.
John Elkann is reportedly in negotiations to sell La Stampa and the GEDI media group, which includes La Repubblica, La Sentinella del Canavese, Huffington Post Italy, and radio stations like Deejay, Capital, and m2o. The plan is reportedly to complete these sales by January 2026. GEDI executives confirmed the talks to La Repubblica and to the editorial committee of La Stampa. In protest, journalists organized a permanent assembly, and on December 11, the Turin-based newspaper was not available on newsstands.
Political figures have also weighed in. Carlo Calenda, a prominent Italian politician, criticized John Elkann on social media platform X, writing: “I predicted this years ago. Once all industrial assets are sold, newspapers will lose their value to appease politics and unions. Here we are. Predicted and happened. After the 2027 elections, even the semi-empty Stellantis factories will close. John Elkann has destroyed in one generation what took 125 years to build with strong support from the Italian state. Congratulations. Juventus and Ferrari are still in play, but he’s making progress there too.”
The Italian government has begun taking steps to prevent key national assets from falling into foreign hands, convening a summit to discuss the issue. On December 12, GEDI journalists will meet with the Mayor of Turin and the Governor of Piedmont, while La Repubblica journalists plan a strike on December 12 and 13, halting publication of the newspaper on those days.
Amid the growing speculation, Piero Ferrari publicly assured fans that there is no intention to sell Ferrari. However, given the current climate, some observers suggest that considering a sale could be seen as a strategic move to secure the brand’s future.
While the Gedi sale has raised valid questions about Exor’s shifting priorities away from traditional Italian holdings, sources close to Maranello insist Ferrari remains a core, untouchable pillar. As the 2025 F1 season wraps up with mixed emotions for the Scuderia, fans hope renewed focus brings on-track success to match the brand’s enduring global appeal.
