Ferrari principal Maurizio Arrivabene gets vote of confidence

15 May 2016 11:53

Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne has given team principal Maurizio Arrivabene his full backing amid speculation he could be sacked.

The famous Italian team are without a victory from the opening four grands prix this season, and a lacklustre performance in qualifying sees them only on the third row - behind both Mercedes and Red Bull - for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

Reports in Italian media have suggested that Arrivabene, who became team principal only in 2015, may be replaced. But when asked if Arrivabene had his full support, Marchionne replied: "Totally. Beyond any question."

Commenting on the rumours, he added: "They are complete nonsense, and by an extraordinary measure.

"And it annoys me because they are baseless and just create confusion in an extremely competitive environment. We don't need that."

Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion, is out of contract at the end of the campaign, but alongside four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, Marchionne believes Ferrari can boast the best driver line-up in Formula One.

He said: "I still think that we have two of the world's best pilots, we probably have the best pilots. I think the team is in the best shape that I have seen in a long, long time."

Source: PA