Stefano Domenicali has resigned as team principal of Ferrari after their poor start to the Formula One season.
The Italian team have struggled to be competitive under this year's new regulations and at the most recent grand prix in Bahrain their cars finished ninth and 10th. Marco Mattiacci, who has been working as president and CEO of Ferrari's North American operations, will take over responsibility for the F1 team.
In a statement, president Luca Di Montezemolo said: "I thank Stefano Domenicali, not only for his constant dedication and effort, but also for the great sense of responsibility he has shown, even today, in always putting the interests of Ferrari above all else."
Domenicali joined the Ferrari team in 1991
Di Montezemolo continued: " I hold Domenicali in esteem and I have watched him grow professionally over the 23 years we have worked together, I now wish him every success for the future.
"I also want to wish all the best to Marco Mattiacci, whom I know to be a highly-regarded manager and who knows the company well. He has accepted this challenge with enthusiasm."
Domenicali, 48, first joined Ferrari in 1991, working in administration, before becoming team manager in 1996 and then sporting director six years later.
He succeeded Jean Todt at the head of the Formula One team in 2007 and was officially appointed team principal in 2008. In his first year the team won the Constructors' Championship but the Drivers' Championship eluded him.
Felipe Massa came agonisingly close to depriving Lewis Hamilton of the world title in 2008 and Fernando Alonso saw Sebastian Vettel pip him at the final race in both 2010 and 2012.
Hamilton wins in Bahrain
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(01 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with team mates in the pitlane after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-BHR-F1(02 of49)
Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain drives during the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 6, 2014. Hamilton won the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg after a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit should read MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(03 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with team mates in the pitlane after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(04 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with team mates in the pitlane after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(05 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with team mates in the pitlane after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(06 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with team mates in the pitlane after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(07 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP leads from team mate Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(08 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with team mates in the pitlane after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(09 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with team mates in the pitlane after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(10 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with team mates in the pitlane after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-BHR-F1(11 of49)
Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 6, 2014. Hamilton won the race ahead of his Mercedes teammate Rosberg after a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel, with Force India Mexican driver Sergio Perez in third place. AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH (Photo credit should read MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(12 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP leads from team mate Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-BHR-F1(13 of49)
Mercedes AMG Petronas British driver Lewis Hamilton drives his car during the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 6, 2014. Hamilton won the race ahead of his Mercedes teammate Rosberg after a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel, with Force India Mexican driver Sergio Perez in third place. AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH (Photo credit should read MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(14 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Nico Rosberg (L) of Germany and Mercedes GP and team mate Lewis Hamilton (R) of Great Britain and Mercedes GP battle for the lead during Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(15 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Race winner Lewis Hamilton (R) of Great Britain and Mercedes GP and second placed team mate Nico Rosberg (L) of Germany and Mercedes GP celebrate on the podium following the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(16 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates on the podium after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(17 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP attends the drivers parade before during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(18 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(19 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP attends the drivers parade before during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(20 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives on the warm up lap before the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(21 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives on the warm up lap before the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(22 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives on the warm up lap before the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(23 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives on the warm up lap before the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-BHR-F1(24 of49)
Mercedes AMG Petronas British driver Lewis Hamilton steers his car ahead of his team mate German driver Nico Rosberg during the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 6, 2014. Lewis Hamilton won the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg after a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit should read MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-BHR-F1(25 of49)
Force India driver Sergio Perez (R-bottom) of Mexic and Mercedes AMG Petronas drivers Nico Rosberg (R-up) and Lewis Hamilton (L-bottom) spray liquid from bottles on Aldo Costa, chief designer of the Mercedes AMG Petronas cars as they celebrate on the podium at Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 6, 2014. Hamilton won the race ahead of Mercedes teammate Rosberg after a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel, with Perez in third place. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit should read MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(26 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(27 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-BHR-F1(28 of49)
Mercedes AMG Petronas drivers Lewis Hamilton (R) celebrates on the podium with his teammate Nico Rosberg after winning the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 6, 2014. Hamilton won the race ahead of Mercedes teammate Rosberg after a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel, with Perez in third place. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit should read MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(29 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates in parc ferme after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(30 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(31 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates in parc ferme after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(32 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(33 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives ahead of Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Williams on the warm up lap before the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(34 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Race winner Lewis Hamilton (2nd right) of Great Britain and Mercedes GP, second placed Nico Rosberg (left) of Germany and Mercedes GP, third placed Sergio Perez (right) of Mexico and Force India and Mercedes GP Engineering Director Aldo Costa (2nd left) celebrate on the podium following the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-BHR-F1(35 of49)
Force India driver Sergio Perez of Mexico (R) celebrate with Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain on the podium following the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 6, 2014. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit should read MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-BHR-F1(36 of49)
Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton (R) celebrates on podium next to Force India driver Sergio Perez (L) of Mexico after winning the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 6, 2014. Hamilton won the race ahead of Mercedes teammate Rosberg after a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel, with Force India Sergio Perez in third place. AFP PHOTO/MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH (Photo credit should read MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(37 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates on the podium after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(38 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Race winner Lewis Hamilton (L) of Great Britain and Mercedes GP and third placed Sergio Perez (R) of Mexico and Force India celebrate on the podium following the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-BHR-F1(39 of49)
Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on podium with his trophy after winning the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 6, 2014. Hamilton won the race ahead of Mercedes teammate Rosberg after a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel, with Force India Sergio Perez in third place. AFP PHOTO/MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH (Photo credit should read MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(40 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP is interviewed by AC/DC singer Brian Johnson on the podium after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(41 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP is interviewed by AC/DC singer Brian Johnson on the podium after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(42 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives on his way to winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(43 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP leads from team mate Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-BHR-F1(44 of49)
Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on podium with his trophy after winning the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 6, 2014. Hamilton won the race ahead of Mercedes teammate Rosberg after a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel, with Force India Sergio Perez in third place. AFP PHOTO/MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH (Photo credit should read MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-BHR-F1(45 of49)
Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton (C) receives his trophy after winning the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix as his teammate Nico Rosberg (L) of Germany and Force India driver Sergio Perez of Mexico (R) watch on as they celebrate on the podium at Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 6, 2014. Hamilton won the race ahead of Mercedes teammate Rosberg after a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel, with Force India Sergio Perez in third place. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit should read MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(46 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Race winner Lewis Hamilton (L) of Great Britain and Mercedes GP and third placed Sergio Perez (R) of Mexico and Force India celebrate on the podium following the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-BHR-F1(47 of49)
Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton (C) celebrates on podium after winning the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 6, 2014. Hamilton won the race ahead of Mercedes teammate Rosberg after a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel, with Force India Sergio Perez in third place. AFP PHOTO/MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH (Photo credit should read MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(48 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates on the podium after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Race(49 of49)
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 06: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates on the podium after winning the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 6, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Alonso also finished second behind the German in 2013 but he was a long way adrift and the Spaniard was widely considered to be outperforming the car he had been given.
Explaining his decision, Domenicali said: "There are special moments that come along in everyone's professional life when one needs courage to take difficult and very agonising decisions.
"It is time for a significant change. As the boss, I take responsibility, as I have always done, for our current situation.
"This decision has been taken with the aim of doing something to shake things up and for the good of this group of people that I feel very close to.
"With all my heart, I thank all the men and women in the team, the drivers and the partners for the wonderful relationship we have enjoyed over all these years. I hope that very soon Ferrari will be back where it deserves to be.
"My final words of thanks go to our president, for having always supported me, and to all our fans. I only regret that we have been unable to harvest what we worked so hard to sow in recent years."