Ferrari Sporting Director Massimo Rivola Reportedly Removed Ahead of Spanish Grand Prix
Massimo Rivola was absent from Ferrari’s Formula One team in Barcelona, with Italian and German media reporting he has been dismissed from his sporting director role.
Ferrari’s Formula One team arrived in Barcelona for the 2015 Spanish Grand Prix without its sporting director, Massimo Rivola, amid widespread reports from Italian and German media that he has been removed from his post. The news comes after a three-week gap since the Bahrain race, during which Rivola’s absence was first noted.
Ferrari’s official silence and media reports
While Ferrari has not issued a formal statement on Rivola’s status, Italian daily La Repubblica reported that he was “removed from his duties” during the break between the Bahrain and Spanish rounds. The paper also claimed that a logistics manager and a team cook were suspended at the same time. Germany’s Bild newspaper went further, stating that Rivola had been “dismissed” from his role entirely.
Ferrari’s press office declined to comment on the specifics, instead telling La Gazzetta dello Sport that Rivola was absent for “personal reasons” and that the team respected his privacy. Unofficial sources within Ferrari described the absence as a “holiday” or due to a “personal problem”, but several media outlets have interpreted the move as part of a wider shake-up under team principal Maurizio Arrivabene.
Possible links to wider team changes
Rivola’s reported removal coincides with Ferrari’s efforts to reorganise its Formula One operation following a challenging 2014 season. The arrival of Arrivabene as team principal has already seen several personnel changes, and Italian media have suggested that Rivola’s close relationship with new Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel may have played a role in the decision. However, there is no official confirmation of the reasons behind the move.
Bild also noted that Rivola had previously been linked to a potential move to McLaren, though there is no evidence of an imminent switch. Vettel, when asked about Rivola’s absence, said he believed it was for personal reasons and made light of the situation, referencing the simultaneous absence of the team cook.
Uncertainty over Ferrari’s team structure
The lack of an official statement leaves Ferrari’s sporting management in a state of uncertainty ahead of the European phase of the Formula One season. Rivola’s responsibilities included race operations and liaising with the FIA, so his absence may require a reshuffle of duties within the team. For now, Ferrari’s only comment remains that Rivola is away for personal reasons, with no indication of when or if he will return.
