Ferrari CEO still supporting the troops

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Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne has vowed to continue to support the Scuderia in its current form although he admitted that results must improve in the second part of the year.

Speaking to the Italian media, Marchionne dispelled rumors of a burgeoning crisis at Maranello, and was adamant that Ferrari's in-house resources and current team were up to the task of elevating its performance level.

"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 utilize our know-how, and that is what we are doing."

In the period leading up to technical director James Allison's recent departure and his replacement by Mattia Binotto, Marchionne consulted frequently with key engineering personnel and with Scuderia boss Maurizio Arrivabene in order to get a firm grasp on the red squad's problems.

"For us it is important to utilize our know-how, and that is what we are doing. To say that we need a transfusion of technical intelligence is excessive."

Marchionne admitted however that he was discontent with Ferrari's year to date, yet expressed his satisfaction with the work conducted by Arrivabene and the team's pair of drivers.

"I'd be lying if I said that I was satisfied, so we hope that the second half will be better. We took on Arrivabene because he knows Formula 1, and we need a team boss like him who is able to work with the people and lead the team.

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

"I want us to end this season with honor, decency, having given our all at every Grand Prix. But we cannot waste anymore time."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.