Arrivabene arrived at Ferrari just as Fernando Alonso made his exit - one day after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Replacing Marco Mattiacci, Arrivabene moved across from long-time Ferrari sponsor Philip Morris after 17 years. He also represented all of the sport's sponsors to the FIA's commission.

Biography

As an executive at Philip Morris, cigarette manufacturers and long-time sponsor of Ferrari, Arrivabene had a close relationship with the Scuderia before making the switch to the team at the tail end of 2014. He was drafted in to replace Marco Mattiacci as team principal one day after the final race in Abu Dhabi, becoming the team's third principal during 2014.

Arrivabene's involvement with Formula One wasn't just confined to the relationship with the Italian team, he also worked with the F1 Commission. He was the representative of all F1 sponsors to the governing body's commission, reportedly helping raise ideas and awareness of brands throughout the sport.

He has a close relationship with Ferrari chief Sergio Marchionne which helped him get the top job at the team, but more than anything, an understanding of the sport was considered missing in Mattiacci, and present in Arrivabene.