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Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa reportedly stepping down [UPDATE]

Update: In a statement to Autoblog, Ferrari USA predictably responded: "We do not comment on rumors. There is no announcement at this time." Rumors are currently swirling in the European media that Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa (pictured above) is stepping down from his position at the Prancing Horse. An exact timeframe isn't clear at this time. Motori Online from Italy indicates Felisa might not leave the company until September, whereas Autocar reports that he has already resigned from the Italian automaker. Autoblog has reached out to Ferrari for clarification, but the Maranello-based firm has not yet officially confirmed any of this speculation. Felisa has been the company's CEO since 2008 when Jean Todt stepped down. He joined Ferrari in 1990 as the director of product development and became general manager there in 2006. Felisa was also among people thought possible to take the role as chairman when Luca di Montezemolo left the Prancing Horse last year. Sergio Marchionne retained that role. If these rumors prove true, Felisa's departure would be the biggest corporate shakeup at Maranello since di Montezemolo's departure. The move would also come at a time that's not particularly pleasant for Ferrari or its corporate parent. Marchionne recently indicated that the Prancing Horse was just days away from filing the prospectus for its imminent initial public offering. The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles executive had previously put Ferrari's value at around $11 billion. So far, all we have are rumors and reports, but as soon as we know more, so will you. Stay tuned.

Skip Barber's favorite car is a Ferrari 275 GTB

"My name is Skip Barber," says the voice at the end of this Petrolicious video, "and I'm fortunate to drive a variety of cars. My favorite car is a Ferrari 275 GTB." If you've ever heard that name before, you'll know it carries a lot of weight, and if you've ever seen a 275 GTB up close – or driven one – you know what he's talking about. Barber is a multiple Sports Car Club of America national champion and one of only a handful of American drivers to have competed in Formula One. But he's arguably better known as the founder of his namesake racing and driving schools, which operate at dozens of locations across the country. He's usually linked most prominently to the iconic Lime Rock race course. Barber rescued the Connecticut circuit when its previous owners pulled out, putting the investment together with some alumni from his school. These days Skip is the sole remaining proprietor, but as you can see from the way he talks about it, he's justifiably proud with what he's done with the place. It's one of the few automotive race tracks in the country recognized on the US National Register of Historic Places, and still hosts top-level racing – including the United SportsCar Championship that will return for the Northeast Grand Prix this summer. Between the racing career he's had, the schools he's started, and the track he's preserved, it's safe to say that Barber has left an indelible impact on the motor racing scene in America. And at 79 years old, he's showing no signs of slowing down. Related Video:

Ferrari reports fewer sales, more profit to prove strategy is working

Ferrari's angle of emphasizing exclusivity by limiting deliveries is appearing to bear fruit. The company posted a 7.1-percent increase in revenues to 1.7 billion Euros ($2.2 billion at today's exchange rates) during the first half of 2013. Net profits, meanwhile, saw a jump of 20 percent to 116.2 million Euros ($153.5 million). The Prancing Horse delivered 3,767 cars, which, while an increase of 2.8 percent, represents a rate of growth that's slower than in the first quarter of 2013.
While Ferrari may be actively trying to slow its sales down to below 7,000 in 2013, it's seen increased numbers in the US, Great Britain and Germany, along with double-digit growth in the Middle East and Japan (39 percent and 28 percent, respectively).
The move to limit sales should have a greater impact on the numbers that come in later this year, which we told you about back in May. Ferrari's controversial move has already seen a drop in sales to China, which saw 50 fewer Prancing Horses than this time last year.