“I miss Formula 1 more than I miss football. I love being hands-on and working on the front line, like when I was Team Principal at Ferrari. At Juventus, I had a more executive role—I wasn’t the coach…”. With these words, Maurizio Arrivabene opened a long and revealing interview with the Italian daily newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, reflecting on his career between football and Formula 1, and revisiting some of the most important chapters of his professional life.
The Italian manager looked back on his time at Juventus, but also spent considerable time discussing his years leading Ferrari in Formula 1. It was a period marked by intense pressure, high expectations, and close relationships within the team, particularly with his drivers.
Memories with Vettel and Raikkonen
Among the moments he remembers most fondly are those shared with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen during their time together at Ferrari. Maurizio Arrivabene highlighted the strong personal connection he had with both drivers, recalling not only their work on track but also lighter moments behind the scenes.
Speaking about the Finnish driver, Maurizio Arrivabene shared a particularly amusing anecdote that perfectly captures Kimi Raikkonen’s personality: “Raikkonen once pulled an incredible prank on me. Kimi loves motocross, and he video-called me showing his leg in a cast. I had no idea who to replace him with or how to explain it to Marchionne. When Kimi took the cast off, I just went… ‘get lost’,” he said, laughing.
The story underlines the unique and often unpredictable character of Kimi Raikkonen, as well as the kind of atmosphere that existed within the Ferrari garage during those years—intense yet occasionally light-hearted.
Pressure in Formula 1 and football
Maurizio Arrivabene also addressed the topic of media pressure, drawing comparisons between his experiences in Formula 1 and football. Having worked at two of Italy’s most iconic institutions—Ferrari and Juventus—he offered a clear perspective on the expectations that come with representing such globally recognized brands.
“In Italy, the shirt carries the same weight,” he said, referring to both Ferrari and Juventus. “Abroad, though, the red one carries even more. Ferrari is like the national team.”
His comments highlight the unique status of Ferrari in the world of motorsport, where the team is not just a competitor but a symbol of national pride, tradition, and identity. The pressure associated with wearing Ferrari red, both for drivers and management, remains unmatched in many respects.
A future only in red?
When asked whether he sees his future more in football or in Formula 1, Maurizio Arrivabene left little room for doubt. His answer clearly pointed in one direction: “I would say Formula 1. I wouldn’t go abroad even for a lot of money. Ferrari or nothing. But Ferrari has Fred Vasseur, whom I respect, and they only need my support,” he concluded.
It is a statement that not only reaffirms his deep connection with Ferrari but also leaves a small door open for a potential return in the future. At the same time, Maurizio Arrivabene made it clear that he holds current team principal Frederic Vasseur in high regard, emphasizing that his role today is that of a supporter rather than a contender for a position within the team.
Maurizio Arrivabene’s words therefore underline how meaningful his time at Ferrari was, both professionally and personally. Even years after leaving the team, his attachment to the Scuderia remains strong, confirming once again that for him, Ferrari is not just a chapter in his career—it is a defining part of it.
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