Stefano Domenicali will take over as new President and CEO of Italian luxury sports carmaker Lamborghini on March 15.

He succeeds Stephan Winkelmann, who will take over as CEO of Audi’s Quattro affiliate.

“Over the past eleven years Winkelmann has transformed Lamborghini into a global leader in the manufacture of super sports cars. His successor, who also possesses a wealth of experience in this area, will be continuing this success,” says Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler, who is also Chairman of the Administrative Board of Automobili Lamborghini.

Domenicali, born in 1965, graduated in 1991 after studying business administration at the University of Bologna and began his professional career in finance with Ferrari. In 1993 he moved to Scuderia Ferrari, where he took over as Head of Business Planning. He was also director of the Mugello circuit, which belongs to Ferrari. From 1996, Domenicali was responsible for sponsors of Scuderia Ferrari, before becoming sporting director of the Formula 1 team in 1998. From 2004 to 2007 he headed the Direzione Sportiva F1. In 2008 he was Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari F1, which won the Constructors’ World Championship that year. From 2009 to 2014 Domenicali represented Ferrari in the F.I.A World Motor Sport Council and still belongs to that body today. He is currently president of the FIA Single Seater Commission.

He has been Vice President New Business Initiatives at Audi since November 2014.

In 2002 he received the order of merit of the Italian Republic, the Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana.

Domenicali says: “I am very excited to be taking on the challenges of this great legacy. It is now my duty to continue the successes that my predecessor achieved for Lamborghini.”

Winkelmann comments: “I have been responsible for Lamborghini for a significant period of time in its history, and in the process have always aimed to use the brand’s potential to achieve very ambitious goals. Lamborghini’s key corporate data displays continual, profitable growth with a focus on the development of new products, new processes, and many other corporate sectors. Together with my colleagues from the Board of Directors, I was able to facilitate successful initial release of our third model series being launched in 2018. These successes would not have been possible without the passion, skill, creativity, and courage that are ingrained in the Lamborghini DNA and in our employees. I would like to thank everyone for this time from the bottom of my heart.”

Winkelmann was born in Berlin in 1964 and grew up in Rome. He held a variety of senior positions in the Fiat Group heading up operations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland before being appointed President and CEO of Lamborghini in 2005.

Between 2004 and 2015 the sales figures at Lamborghini more than doubled, and the turnover more than tripled. 

Models introduced under Winkelmann, starting with derivatives of the Gallardo and ranging through to the V10 Huracán and V12 Aventador as well as limited editions and one-offs, set numerous new sales records.

In 2015 the third model line was announced, the luxury SUV Urus, to be constructed in Sant’Agata Bolognese starting from 2018, and marking the beginning of a new era for the company.

Raising the profile of the brand was another focus under Winkelmann’s leadership, with numerous successful initiatives launched. These included motor sports activities, encompassing the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo single-make series, the GT3 championship, and the instructional driving courses Accademia and Esperienza, and also the establishment of the fashion line Collezione Automobili Lamborghini.

Under Winkelmann’s leadership Lamborghini became an increasingly attractive employer and received numerous awards, one of these being the Top Employer Italia 2016 certification. These results are in part due to the participative model under which constant dialog and collaboration form the basis for relations with the trade unions.

In 2014 President Giorgio Napolitano recognised Winkelmann with the title of Knight Grand Cross, the highest-ranking honor in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, for his service as the CEO of one of the most significant Italian companies.

Founded in 1963, Lamborghini is headquartered in Sant’Agata Bolognese, in Northeastern Italy. The Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4, which made its world debut at the Geneva International Motor Show in 2014, the Huracán Spyder and the rear-wheel-drive version LP 580-2 of 2015 are the successors to the iconic Gallardo, and with their innovative technology and exceptional performance, they redefine the driving experience of luxury super sports cars. 

The Coupé and Roadster versions of the Aventador LP 700-4, along with the Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce represent a new benchmark in the world of V12 luxury super sports cars. 

With 135 dealerships throughout the world, in half a century Lamborghini has created a continuous series of dream cars, including the 350 GT, Miura, Espada, Countach, Diablo, Murciélago, as well as limited editions including the Reventón, Sesto Elemento and Aventador J. The Veneno Coupé, Egoista and Veneno Roadster were produced to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary in 2013.