Ferrari on Monday sacked team chief Marco Mattiacci after just seven months in the post and appointed Maurizio Arrivabene in his place, a team statement announced.

Arrivabene takes over only days after the team signed Germany’s four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel on a three-year contract starting from next year and a day after Ferrari finished the Formula One season winless for the first time since 1993.

Ferrari’s car at Abu Dhabi Grand prix

Arrivabene has been closely linked with Ferrari for several years, having previously been vice-president of Marlboro Global Communication and Promotions for tobacco giants and team sponsors Philip Morris International, which he joined in 1997.

He has also represented all Formula One sponsors on the F1 Commission since 2010.

Less than 24 hours after Lewis Hamilton clinched the world title in the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne said: “We decided to appoint Maurizio Arrivabene because, at this historic moment in time for the Scuderia and for Formula One, we need a person with a thorough understanding not just of Ferrari but also of the governance mechanisms and requirements of the sport.

“Maurizio has a unique wealth of knowledge: he has been extremely close to the Scuderia for years and, as a member of the F1 Commission, is also keenly aware of the challenges we are facing.

“He has been a constant source of innovative ideas focused on revitalisation of Formula One.

“His managerial experience on a highly complex and closely regulated market is also of great importance, and will help him manage and motivate the team.”

– Ultimately failed –

Arrivabene’s arrival is the latest move by Ferrari as they look to restore their status as world title challengers on a regular basis over the coming years.

Ferrari last week announced the arrival of Vettel only minutes after confirming that two-time world champion Fernando Alonso would be quitting the team – a move expected to boost Ferrari’s bid to claim a first world drivers’ title since Kimi Raikkonen’s triumph in 2007.

Alonso, who won two world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, ultimately failed to win a world championship in his five-year spell with the team whose logo is the Prancing Horse, finishing runner-up three times.