---
title: "Ferrari chairman calls for restart after ‘painful reality’ in 2020"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2021/02/03/ferrari-chairman-calls-for-fresh-approach-after-painful-reality-in-2020/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2021-02-03T15:53:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-04T09:26:53Z"
---

# Ferrari chairman calls for restart after ‘painful reality’ in 2020

Ferrari chairman and acting CEO John Elkann says the team’s poor 2020 Formula 1 season proves it must “restart with humility” if it is to return to winning ways.

The Italian outfit fell to its lowest finishing position in the constructors’ championship for 40 years, slipping to sixth in the overall standings.

A reduction in engine performance and lack of aerodynamic efficiency on the SF1000 left Ferrari in F1’s midfield fight, where it was consistently outperformed by McLaren, Racing Point and Renault, and only just beat AlphaTauri.

Having started the 21st century by winning five consecutive drivers’ titles with Michael Schumacher, Elkann conceded 2020 was a “painful reality” it past achievements doesn’t guarantee current or future success.

“\[We celebrated\] our 1,000th grand prix, the highest number in Formula 1 ever reached, \[had\] victories in the GT racing season and we reached over 2.5 million visitors in our eSports series,” Elkann said, as quoted by Motorsport Week.

“But our 2020 Formula 1 results reminded us that a great past doesn’t equate to a great present or future.

“This painful reality, both for ourselves and our fans, is that we must restart with humility, focusing on what will make us competitive and ultimately lead to winning.”

Elkann was appointed Ferrari’s chairman midway through 2018 following the sudden passing of Sergio Marchionne, and is currently holding the position of CEO on a temporary basis after Louis Camilleri’s shock resignation in December.

He revealed Ferrari is in “the process of identifying a successor to Louis”, but wants to “take the necessary time to find the best possible CEO for our company”.