MARCH 12, 2004

Montezemolo confirmed as Confindustria boss

Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, the chairman of Ferrari, has been picked as the head of Italy's influential Confindustria, the industrialists lobbying organisation. He will now represent around 25% of the Italian workforce. The job, which will run for four years will set up Montezemolo for a role as a political player in Italy in 2009 and beyond.

The new job means that Montezemolo will have less time available for Ferrari and while he will probably remain as chairman of the company it will probably be necessary for him to appoint a new chief executive. This may have no effect at all on the Ferrari F1 operations.