Lamborghini has appointed former Ferrari Formula One’s chief Stefano Domenicali as the company president and CEO, replacing Stephan Winkelmann who will move to Audi’s Quattro GmbH division.

Domenicali led Ferrari’s Formula One team between 2008 and 2014 and he will take up the new post with Lamborghini from March 15.

Commenting on the occasion, Domenicali said, "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 Stephan Winkelmann achieved for Automobili Lamborghini."

Domenicali, 50, started his professional career in finance with Ferrari in 1991 and became sporting director of the Formula One team in 1998, eventually taking over as team principal in 2008. He resigned from Ferrari in 2014 and was employed by the VW Group at Audi as vice president of new business initiatives, which sparked speculation that the German brand was lining up an F1 entry.

Winkelmann departs after guiding the Italian supercar brand through the past decade under VW Group ownership, introducing models such as the Huracan and Aventador, as well as the upcoming Urus SUV.

Quattro GmbH will be a return to relatively mainstream products for Winkelmann, even though the Neckarsulm-based company produces relatively high-end, niche versions of Audi models.