Ex-Ferrari F1 chief Stefano Domenicali appointed CEO of Lamborghini

Lamborghini has appointed former Ferrari F1 chief Stefano Domenicali as its president and CEO. Domenicali, who lead the Ferrari F1 team between 2008 and 2014 will take up his position in the Italian company from March 15, 2016 and will be replace Stephan Winkelmann who will be moving to Audi’s Quattro GmbH division.

Domenicali started his professional career with Ferrari in 1991 and became the sporting director of the F1 team in 1998. He eventually went on to become the team principal in 2008, before resigning from the company in 2014. He joined the VW Group as the vice president of new business initiatives at Audi, which sparked speculation of the brand’s possibly entry into F1.

"I am very excited to be taking on the challenges of this great legacy," Domenicali said. He continued, "It is now my duty to continue the successes that my predecessor Stephan Winkelmann achieved for Automobili Lamborghini."

Outgoing CEO Winkelmann departs the supercar brand after guiding it for the past decade under VW Group ownership, introducing models such as the Huracán and Aventador, as well as the upcoming Urus SUV. He will be the new CEO of Quattro GmbH from March 15, 2016. The move will be a return to relatively mainstream products for him, even though the Neckarsulm-based company produces relatively high-end, niche versions of Audi models.