Stefano Domenicali

Stefano Domenicali was born in 1965 just a stone’s throw from the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. As a young boy, he would spend his weekends at the Italian circuit helping out in the paddock and media center. This early exposure to motorsport sparked Domenicali’s interest in the sport.

In the early 1990s, Domenicali joined Ferrari, and in 1995, he moved up to the racing department. A year later, he was promoted to team manager, a role he held until 2001. In 2002, he became Ferrari’s sporting director, and in 2007, he succeeded Jean Todt as the team’s sporting director. In 2008, Domenicali was promoted to team principal. His first season as team principal was immediately successful, as Ferrari won the Constructors’ Championship that year. That title remains Ferrari’s most recent championship win. Although Domenicali couldn’t replicate this success in the following years, Fernando Alonso came close to winning a world title for Ferrari in 2012. In 2014, Domenicali parted ways with Ferrari and began a new chapter in his career.

Domenicali remained in the automotive industry and found a place at Audi. He didn’t completely leave Formula 1, as he worked for Audi while also taking on a role at the FIA as the head of the Single-Seater Commission. In 2016, Domenicali became the CEO of Lamborghini S.p.A., a company that has been part of Audi since 1998. He held this position until 2020.

In 2021, Domenicali made his official return to Formula 1. After the acquisition of F1 by Liberty Media, Chase Carey had served as CEO since 2017. However, Carey decided it was time to pass the baton, and Domenicali was the chosen successor. Since Liberty Media took over F1 from Bernie Ecclestone, the sport began to change. New strategies to attract fans were introduced, such as the Netflix series Drive to Survive and the introduction of Sprint Race weekends. Under Liberty Media’s leadership, Formula 1 has seen significant growth. While Domenicali is pleased with the sport’s new-found interest, he is mindful not to forget the loyal fans who have supported F1 for many years. For him, finding the right balance between old and new fans is crucial.

The same challenge applies to the circuits where Formula 1 races. Some tracks have been on the calendar since the 1950s, but there is increasing interest from other countries to host a Grand Prix. Domenicali’s role is to help broaden the sport, while ensuring that its rich history remains respected and intact.

Outside of Formula 1, Domenicali is a big fan of MotoGP. In his youth, he played basketball and says he still keeps an eye on the NBA whenever he can. Domenicali also has many friends in football and tries to attend an Italy national football team match when his schedule allows.