Ferrari have officially confirmed their new CEO to replace Louis Camilleri, with Benedetto Vigna appointed to the role.
Louis Camilleri announced a sudden exit from the Italian giants last December, just before the final race of the 2020 Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi.
After just under two-and-a-half years in the job, following the death of his predecessor Sergio Marchionne, Camilleri retired with immediate effect for personal reasons.
Since then, Ferrari have taken their time to identify a successor, with chairman John Elkann acting as interim CEO.
But now they have chosen Vigna, a 52-year-old who comes from outside the Maranello fold and will join on September 1 from STMicroelectronics, where he is currently president of its Analog, MEMS (Micro-electromechanical Systems) and Sensors Group, the company’s largest and most profitable operating business in 2020.
“It’s a special honour to be joining Ferrari as its CEO and I do so with an equal sense of excitement and responsibility,” said Vigna.
“Excitement at the great opportunities that are there to be captured. And with a profound sense of responsibility towards the extraordinary achievements and capabilities of the men and women of Ferrari, to all the company’s stakeholders and to everyone around the world for whom Ferrari is such a unique passion.”
Ferrari chairman Elkann added: “We are delighted to welcome Benedetto Vigna as our new Ferrari CEO. His deep understanding of the technologies driving much of the change in our industry, and his proven innovation, business-building and leadership skills, will further strengthen Ferrari and its unique story of passion and performance in the exciting era ahead.”
An Italian national with extensive international experience working with some of the world’s leading technology companies, Vigna graduated cum laude in physics from the University of Pisa.
Ferrari say that in his role as CEO, Vigna’s priority “will be to ensure Ferrari continues to build on its leadership position as the creator of the world’s most beautiful and technically advanced cars”.
They added: “His unique knowledge gained over 26 years working at the heart of the semi-conductor industry that is rapidly transforming the automotive sector will accelerate Ferrari’s ability to pioneer the application of next generation technologies.”
Vigna’s appointment comes at a time when Ferrari’s Formula 1 fortunes have taken an upturn after a dismal 2020 season.
Charles Leclerc has taken pole position for the last two races and the Scuderia sit third in the Constructors’ World Championship, two points ahead of McLaren.
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