Photo: Race Pictures

‘Top player’ Mario Isola lands new major position after Pirelli departure

17:01, 26 Feb

byTobia Elia

Mario Isola will take on a major new role as General Director of the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) starting July 1 2026.

Isola moves into major new role after leaving Pirelli

On Thursday, Pirelli announced a leadership reshuffle at the top of its motorsport division, with Dario Marrafuschi appointed as the new Head of Motorsport.

He will report to Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Executive Vice President of Sustainability, New Mobility & Motorsport, while Isola will remain with the Formula 1 tyre supplier until July 1.

Isola was appointed Head of Motorsport at the Italian manufacturer in 2017, taking over as Pirelli’s leading figure in Formula 1 following Paul Hembery’s transition into a broader strategic position within the company.

New 206 Pirelli tyres - Photo: Pirelli

“This is truly very important news for the entire motorsport sector,” ACI president Geronimo La Russa said. “Bringing a top player like Mario Isola into our team is a source of great pride for all of us, and it is even more rewarding for me personally to see a highly respected manager like him choose to accept the challenge of building a new chapter for Italian motorsport together with us.

“A decision that I am convinced will strengthen and further energise the work of ACI Sport Spa. Mario Isola is not only a highly capable and respected professional, but also someone with the right vision and enthusiasm to tackle future challenges with foresight and determination.”

Gian Carlo Minardi, current CEO of ACI Sport, also shared his thoughts on Isola’s appointment to the new role: “I have always appreciated Mario Isola’s work — his career and the results he has achieved are the best possible calling card to understand just how important this decision is.”