Shanghai – Predictably enough, with Fernando Alonso on the panel for the first FIA press conference of the Chinese GP weekend, the hot topic for the Spanish driver was the aftermath of Stefano Domenicali’s decision to retire from his position at the head of Scuderia Ferrari and the appointment of Marco Mattiacci in his place. “We need to give him time and let him settle down,” said Fernando about Mattiacci. “We need everyone to get behind him as fast as possible and try and make him as comfortable as possible from Day One, so that he can be successful in managing the team. I have not had a chance to talk to him yet and I look forward to welcoming him and I will try to help him in any way I can.” The Spaniard also had words of praise for the outgoing Domenicali. “He was a great man first of all. As a team principal he did good things, even if there were missed opportunities, without which he could have had three championships in his pocket. I am happy with the time we spent together. It’s not easy to do what he did, when you have a privileged position with a Formula 1 team. But he did it for the best interests of Ferrari.” (9colonne)
