Marchionne 'not satisfied' but staying the course

Aug.3 - Sergio Marchionne has this week suggested Ferrari will stay the course, despite admitting that the great Italian marque has disappointed in the opening half of 2016.

Both in the influential Italian press and beyond, the perception is that Ferrari is now in 'crisis', having failed to deliver president Marchionne's pre-season targets and now having lost technical boss James Allison.

Ferrari has promoted from within - Mattia Binotto - to replace Allison, and Marchionne seems happy with that decision.

"We took the decision to develop the cars in 2016 and 2017 with our internal expertise," he said, "because we have phenomenal talent.

"For us it is important to utilise our know-how and that is what we are doing," he is quoted by the Italian media, including Tuttosport.

"To say that we need a transfusion of technical intelligence is excessive," Marchionne insisted.

"I'd be lying if I said that I was satisfied, though, so we hope that the second half will be better," he added.

If that sounds a little like than ultimatum to Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene, Marchionne insists that he continues to support him.

"We took on Arrivabene because he knows formula one, and we need a team boss like him who is able to work with the people and lead the team," he is quoted by Corriere della Sera.

Marchionne also said Ferrari's driver lineup is right.

"Sebastian is a champion," he insisted, "and we have rightly recognised the work Kimi has done with a new contract for next season.

"I want us to end this season with honour, decency, having given our all at every grand prix. But we cannot waste any more time."

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