Ferrari working on shake-up to improve F1 quality control
The Ferrari Formula 1 team has drafted in Maria Mendoza from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to reorganise its quality control department


Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has said his team paid the price for "ignoring" quality control with its technical director Mattia Binotto confirming changes were being made to the department.
Sebastian Vettel's title hopes appear dashed after a crash in Singapore and engine troubles in Malaysia and Japan leave him 59 points adrift with 100 remaining.
Autosport has learned Mendoza has been called in to organise the reshuffle in the quality control department, and part of Binotto's changes behind the scenes.
Binotto hinted that changes were imminent at last week's Japanese GP, saying: "What we are considering is something, already planned, to improve our quality department.
"Our quality department will be and somehow is already reinforced and those are the changes that our chairman was meaning."
Mendoza was previously head of quality control of the powertrain department for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. She graduated from Zaragoza University, and joined the FIAT Group in 2012.
Marchionne revealed earlier this week that it was a €59 spark plug that forced Vettel's retirement from the Japanese Grand Prix.
In an interview with Italy's Class CNBC television channel, Marchionne said: "It was a technical nonsense that had an impact on a car that costs millions of euros.
"It's a problem we've probably ignored over time because it was never of much importance.
"But now we've had at least three occasions where we've really seen the devastating impact on performance. We'll fix it."

Maria de Villota's family ends legal action against Manor
Robert Kubica completes 'successful' Williams test at Silverstone

Latest news
How Wehrlein's Diriyah double reveals Formula E's form book shake-up
After Porsche-powered drivers locked out the top two positions to open Formula E's new Gen3 era in Mexico, the order was reversed in Diriyah. Ex-Formula 1 driver Pascal Wehrlein's factory car headed Jake Dennis's customer Andretti machine in both races under the Riyadh lights in a display that leaves little doubt as to which package currently has the edge
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
LMP2 winner Allen 'wasn't breathing' in Daytona 24 photo finish
Proton Competition driver James Allen says he wasn't breathing when he drafted past Ben Hanley's Crowdstrike Racing by APR car to steal LMP2 victory in the Daytona 24 Hours.
Why floor designs have become a key F1 battleground
The new ground effect floor design is perhaps one of the biggest changes that Formula 1 teams have had to adapt to under the new rules era.
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.