Ferrari against team members running F1 due creating “conflicts of interest”

Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri has said that there would be “conflicts of interest” should a key member from a Formula 1 team end up in charge of the Formula One Group amid rumours of Chase Carey stepping down.

Carey took over Bernie Ecclestone as CEO of the sport back in 2017 through Liberty Media’s takeover, but rumours have circulated he could leave his position after 2020.
 
This has led to speculation that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff could be the man to fill the position.
 
But Camilleri feels any key member in an F1 would have “conflicts of interests” whilst managing.
 
“I think that anybody who’s really been an active and important player in a certain team within the last years, to take on the responsibility of F1 would automatically create conflicts of interest, perceived or otherwise,” he said to Autosport.com.

“So I personally think it would not be a good thing as to who should ultimately run F1.”

Camilleri also feels that for Carey’s position a candidate must be experienced in the entertainment business to help the sport rather than an internal figure.

“He’s come out from a world that’s really entertainment,” he added. “He had no background in Formula 1.

“I think you need a CEO, because it’s a public company, who has experience in essentially the entertainment business.

“My sense – but ultimately it will be [Liberty’s president] Greg Maffei who will decide who the eventual successor to Chase will be if that happens – is that if Mattia [Binotto, Ferrari team principal] was the candidate to replace Chase Carey, I think the rest of the paddock would not be too happy with it.

“It’s just logical.”