Former Ferrari F1 boss Mattiacci joins Faraday Future - MotorSportsTalk

Former Ferrari Formula 1 chief Marco Mattiacci has joined electric vehicle development company Faraday Future as its global chief brand and commercial officer.

Mattiacci was appointed as Scuderia Ferrari’s team principal in April 2014 following the resignation of Stefano Domenicali, before resigning after just seven months in charge. He was replaced by Maurizio Arrivabene.

Mattiacci acted as one of the dominoes in a period of rapid change at Ferrari that also saw president Luca di Montezemolo and star driver Fernando Alonso leave.

On Thursday, Faraday Future announced that Mattiacci had joined the company in the role of global chief brand and commercial officer, “leading all aspects of branding, marketing, communications, distribution, sales, and user/customer experience.

“He will also sit on key strategy, product, design, and HR committees. Ultimately, Marco will be pushing for innovative new ways to bring the FF brand to life on a global scale.”

“Throughout my career, I have been a passionate believer in innovation and unique user experiences for customers,” Mattiacci said, having previously worked as the CEO of Ferrari North America.

“Joining the Faraday Future team is an incredible opportunity that revolves around a completely new, connected, and intelligent way of thinking.

“I look forward to the role I will play in developing a truly brave and innovative path forward for the industry.”

Faraday Future is playing an important part in the development of electric vehicles, linking itself to Formula E by acting as the title sponsor for the Long Beach ePrix in April.

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The IndyCar Series has re-signed NTT as its title sponsor in a multiyear agreement starting in 2024.

NTT, a global information technology and communications company based in Japan, became the series’ title sponsor before the 2019 season after starting as a sponsor of the No. 10 Dallara-Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

NTT Data (a subsidiary of parent company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.) will remain the official technology partner of IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Brickyard weekend.

With the extension, an IndyCar spokesman said NTT would become the second-longest title sponsor in series history. The longest title sponsor was PPG from 1980-97 (under the CART sanction of the Champ Car Series).

NTT replaced Verizon, which was IndyCar’s title sponsor from 2014-18 after IZOD from 2010-13.

“NTT is an excellent partner across our enterprise with strong expertise and a deep commitment to our sport,” Penske Corp. chairman and IndyCar owner Roger Penske said in a release. “From Smart Venue technology at the Racing Capital of the World to the reimagined Series mobile application, NTT is transforming the fan experience in new and innovative ways. We look forward to a bright future together.”

NTT has used artificial intelligence-enabled optical detection technology at IMS to provide information to the track’s operations and security teams, helping improve fan traffic flow and safety, the track said.

“IndyCar is a great partner for NTT Data because of our shared commitment to driving innovation, increasing sustainability and delivering amazing experiences,” NTT Data CEO Kaz Nishihata said in a release. “We also appreciate how IndyCar is so diverse, with drivers from 15 different countries, and races that range from short ovals and superspeedways to road and street courses. It’s both an incredible sport and a wonderful example for our world.”

NTT also has been instrumental in helping redesign the IndyCar app and providing more race and driver data for use in NBC Sports’ broadcasts by utilizing 140 data points from every car in the field.

“NTT is fully invested in the development and growth of our sport and has already established a terrific track record in our industry with problem-solving capabilities and access to top talent and tools,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said.

Said NTT Data Services CEO Bob Pryor: “We’re thrilled to continue our collaborations that enhance and expand the fan experience for motorsports and serve as proof points for data analytics, AI, and other innovative digital technologies. For more than a century, this racing series has pioneered innovations making driving safer for everyone, and by continuing this relationship, we will accelerate the pace of innovations and new technologies, particularly related to sustainability that ultimately can benefit organizations, communities and individuals around the world.”

Starting as a Japanese telephone company, NTT grew into a $100 billion-plus tech services giant with U.S. operations based in Plano, Texas.