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The former Ferrari boss joins the enemy McLaren

This page is translated from the original post "L’ancien Boss de Ferrari passe chez l’ennemi McLaren" in French.

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Ferrari McLaren

It’s an earthquake in the cushy world of luxury automobiles. A transfer as symbolic as it is strategic.

Luca di Montezemolo, an iconic figure of Ferrari, has just joined… McLaren. Yes, McLaren, the historic rival of the Scuderia, both on the track and in the showrooms. The information, confirmed by official British records (Companies House), reveals that the former president of Ferrari was appointed director of McLaren Group Holdings Limited on June 27, 2025.

At 77 years old, the Italian is not taking the reins of the Formula 1 team but is joining the automotive division of the group, which is now placed under the oversight of CVYN Holdings LLC, a fund based in Abu Dhabi. The latter acquired McLaren Automotive in April, while taking a minority stake in McLaren Racing. The new investment vehicle, McLaren Group Holdings, oversees the entire operation. This is where Montezemolo comes into play.

Is the Ferrari method replicable?

While his arrival may come as a surprise, it is not without logic. Montezemolo is the man who turned Ferrari around in the 1990s, notably by transforming the unpopular 348 into the brilliant F355. He is also the one who initiated the brand’s revival in terms of products, while contributing to the Schumacher era in F1. His expertise is invaluable, and McLaren, whose models are often praised for their technical excellence but struggle to ensure sustainable profitability, could benefit from this experience.

The challenge? To stay focused on exceptional supercars without succumbing to the allure of an easy SUV. The temptation is strong, and the financial pressure is too. Perhaps this is where Montezemolo comes into play: to help McLaren avoid diluting its sporting DNA in artificial volumes.

The symbolism is powerful, nonetheless. Seeing a historic tifoso switch to the enemy side feels like betrayal to some enthusiasts. But in the ruthless world of luxury automotive, it may simply be proof that times are changing. And that one does not refuse a new challenge.

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