A lot has been publicly discussed here about LdM imminent departure but what can't be ignored is the legacy he will leave behind. To borrow a recent Chris Harris Tweet " to understand the Luca effect drive an early 348, then a 355. former is tragic, latter is genius. And lets face it, post 355 the cars just got better and more desirable. To be hand picked by Enzo himself and ignite Ferrari's mid 70's glory years in F1, win Championships with Niki and then polarise the world of formula One during the Michael, Brawn, Todt era speaks volumes about a guy who was able to lead the company out of the darkness. I'm sure Sergio is very capable with loads of business acumen, he seems to be liked by Wall St and he understands that the Scuderia needs to gets real results as there is an expectation from ALL of us to see Ferrari dominate in F1. Change is going to be good, but we will miss the self styled, charismatic leader who sold the dream when the 458 launched in 2009. Can Sergio produce his own "effect" continue to give us amazing sports cars and re-create a winning Formula One team, we will have to wait and see. At the very least a reference has been set.
Luca sold passion, and the car sales and profitability came naturally. He is an elegant, charismatic leader who knows how to motivate people to build great cars. Sergio wants to sell cars. It is not at all the same thing.
Exactly. Sergio and his Wall Street Gang that Stole Chrysler (or else there would be no FIAT left) can go pound sand.
I guess we have to be a little bit more objective; Sergio's target to lead FCA to a successful global multi brand company is much more complex and challenging then to manage (and represent) "only" Ferrari. There will not be a negative impact due to the loss of LdM. Let us be honest, he was not able to bring down all his promises to fulfillment. LdM, a great sales and marketing man with an exceptional charisma but definitely not the best manager. To bring back FCA on a successful way I see more potential in Managers like Harald J. Wester from Maserati then in LdM.
There are leaders and there are managers. Leaders are rare but you can get managers by the boatload. Luca is a leader. Leaders can learn how to manage, but most managers cannot lead. I am not making this up. http://hbr.org/2012/06/how-managers-become-leaders/ar/1
LdM Did a fantastic job for the first 18 years of his job But the recent five he did become an Emperor of sorts It would be a guess on my part but behind the scenes He was probably not letting John Elkann & Sergio have there wishes Hence the blows went public in the end - just IMO
