Some Italian newspapers are reporting that Massimo Rivola has been fired/suspended. This sucks...Massimo is a great guy and made himself and the team very available to the fans...nice guy, hate to see him go. Massimo Rivola licenziato dalla Ferrari: sconosciute le motivazioni - News Formula 1
Massimo has always been close to Fernando. However, his dream job and ultimate goal was to join the Scuderia Ferrari. With Alonso there, he had the best of both worlds. Of course Alonso would have loved for Massimo to be with him at McLaren and the job was his for the taking but remaining at Ferrari would allow him to stay/work in Italy and be close to his family and keep working his dream job so he chose to stay. Right now it looks like the wrong choice was made....I hope all this gets cleared up and he stays put.
A cook and a logistics man too stayed home and didn't join the scuderia in Spain. Maybe Fernando missing his spaghetti?
Being fired is what the newspapers are saying, insider info says he will not be present at the Spanish Grand Prix for "personal reasons". Ferrari is not saying more than that... Suspension and Termination are being used in the press.
If he was seen as part of the old regime, with perhaps too much loyalty toward Alonso, well, it's a fact of life that people get fired for that all the time. I don't know if that's what happened, just saying it seems plausible based on the information in some of the posts above.
I hope that it's more than settling old scores. Revenge may be a dish best served cold but is also a dish that repeats on you.
I think if it were pure revenge he would have been gone during the housecleaning. It could have easily had something to do with his recent conduct, as the apparent firing happened so far into the season. I doubt anybody outside the team knows for sure.
I suspect that many within the team are also wondering. I admit to being on the GK here. But. The team was focused and successful while in crisis mode. Now that they've had some results the knives are out and scores are being settled. OR I may have been following Ferrari way too long.
Looks like Massimo is back at work as number 2 at Ferrari. I am relieved if this is true. Mobile Site Preview
Having worked with him at Minardi, I can say Massimo is a wonderful guy and an extremely effective organiser. His political focus was always firmly on avoiding politics -- of course, that may not necessarily work at Ferrari. I hope this is a storm in a tea (or espresso) cup and he stays in Maranello.
As a member of the excecutive committee of Scuderia Ferrari Club Montreal, I see Massimo quite a bit during the Montreal Grand Prix and he is really a super guy and takes care of his team. So happy he's back!
Of course we see him at Monza and the USGP too and as you say, he is just tops!! In fact without his help, the Scuderia Ferrari Club of Denver wouldn't exist!
