► Former Ferrari F1 boss takes Lamborghini role
► Succeeds Stephan Winkelmann as president
► Takes over officially from March 15 2016
It has been confirmed that former Ferrari F1 team principal Stefano Domenicali will become Lamborghini’s new president and CEO on 15 March 2016.
Domenicali takes over from the charismatic Stephan Winkelmann, who has held the role since 2005. Winkelmann will take up a new position as head of the Quattro GmbH subsidiary at Lamborghini’s parent company, Audi.
Big shoes to fill
Winkelmann oversaw a thriving era at Sant’Agata, during which the Gallardo (Lamborghini’s best-selling model so far), Huracan and Aventador were introduced. Turnover more than tripled between 2004 and 2015 and sales figures doubled, as did the workforce.
‘Over the past 11 years Stephan Winkelmann has transformed Lamborghini into a global leader in the manufacture of super sports cars,’ said Rupert Stadler, chairman of Audi’s management board. ‘His successor, who also possesses a wealth of experience in this area, will be continuing this success.’
Stefano Domenicali: a high-speed CV
Domenicali began his career in Ferrari’s finance division before becoming head of business planning at Ferrari’s racing arm. He then moved into a role as the F1 team’s sporting director, and later team principal. During his time there, in 2008, Ferrari won the constructors’ championship.
He stepped down from Ferrari in April 2014, taking a developmental role at Audi. He is also currently president of the FIA’s single-seater commission.
Lamborghini’s next chapter
Lamborghini is in the process of finalising its new SUV model, which is set to be launched in 2018. In the process, its production site will almost double in size from 80,000 square metres to 150,000sq m and the company is expected to hire 500 new staff by 2018.
The SUV, which is expected to increase Lamborghini’s worldwide sales by 3000 cars a year, will form the third model line alongside the Huracan and Aventador supercars. Lamborghini will also exhibit a special V12 Centenario supercar at the upcoming 2016 Geneva motor show, to celebrate 100 years since the birth of the company’s founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini.
Read more of CAR’s 2016 Geneva motor show coverage here
