Stefano Domenicali resigns as Ferrari team principal

Stefano Domenicali has resigned as Ferrari team principal.

The 48-year-old Italian, who had been in the role since 2008 when he took over from Jean Todt, has been replaced by Marco Mattiacci.

However, a poor start to the new season for Ferrari has seen Domenicali leave his position with the Scuderia.

Ferrari are currently in fifth place in the Constructors' Championship, 78 points behind Mercedes. The team has also failed to record a podium finish in the first three races of the campaign.

"There are special moments that come along in everyone's professional life when one needs courage to take difficult and very agonising decisions," Domenicali said in an official statement.

"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."

The Formula 1 season continues this weekend with the Chinese Grand Prix.