MAY 9, 2015

Ferrari picks successor for ousted Rivola

Ferrari has already nominated a replacement for its absent-in-Barcelona sporting director Massimo Rivola.

Ferrari has already nominated a replacement for its absent-in-Barcelona sporting director Massimo Rivola.

Earlier reports said Rivola, a key figure at the resurgent Maranello team, as well as a logistics manager and chef, had been suspended or dismissed over an unknown matter.

For now, team boss Maurizio Arrivabene is shedding no light.

"He needed a week off and we gave it to him," he is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"All of us here at Ferrari have a backup, and this applies to me as well. As for the cook, I think we are all eating regularly and well, but thank you for your concern," Arrivabene added.

Gazzetta said Rivola will be replaced by Antonello Coletta, from the GT programme, although for now operations manager Diego Ioverno is stepping in at short notice.

Germany's Kolner Express tabloid suggested Rivola and the other two Ferrari team members' absence is connected to an accounting anomaly regarding catering supplies.

The report also said Rivola is being linked with a move to McLaren, or even to Audi, where he would be reunited with his former Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali.

(GMM)