More changes at Ferrari after Domenicali exit

Apr.24 (GMM) Ferrari has been told to "step up a gear" in the wake of team boss Stefano Domenicali's departure.

After a poor start to the season for the fabled Italian marque, the F1-unknown Marco Mattiacci was drafted in to replace team veteran Domenicali, who resigned between the Bahrain and Chinese grands prix.

And according to Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, the management reshuffle is not the only change behind closed doors at Maranello.

The official Ferrari website said Montezemolo told "Mattiacci and his staff" of the need to "step up a gear in the work of the Gestione Sportiva".

The report added: "These words have been transformed into actions, which have made the decision making process even more immediate, with the aim of optimising the work and the direction of development taken by the engineers in Maranello in real time."

Montezemolo, who confirmed last week that he is increasing his involvement in the F1 team, "has asked for an immediate overhaul and streamlining of internal processes, eliminating intermediate stages and bureaucracy in order to be more flexible and efficient", Ferrari added.

The report said Ferrari has also made "cutbacks in the number of consultants and admissions aimed at strengthening some key areas to find more performance from the F14 T (car)".

And suppliers to the team have been asked to slash "the turnaround on parts ... thus reducing the waiting time for every single component".

German-language Speed Week reports that Ferrari plans to debut a Mercedes-style short front nose at the Spanish grand prix next month.