Source plays down Maurizio Arrivabene exit claims

Ferrari Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene speaks with members of his team in the paddock after final practice for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit on April 18, 2015
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An insider who is famously close to Ferrari plays down rumours that Maurizio Arrivabene could lose his job.

An insider who is famously close to Ferrari has played down rumours that Maurizio Arrivabene could lose his job.

Sections of the infamously tough Italian press have declared that the Maranello marque is once again in "crisis", after starting the year hot on Mercedes's heels but now having fallen behind Red Bull.

Not only that, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said in a recent interview that Ferrari "has become very Italian again", declaring that the team needs its president Sergio Marchionne to get involved "seven days a week, 24 hours a day".

"There is nothing wrong with Maurizio at all," he told F1's official website, "but maybe his character is a bit different to Sergio - which it is."

Responding to the speculation, F1 blogger Leo Turrini - who almost always has his finger right on the pulse on all Ferrari matters - played down suggestions Arrivabene could go.

"As far as I know, Sergio Marchionne has no intention of getting rid of Maurizio Arrivabene," he wrote.

"But I'm not intimately close to the president so time will tell."

Ferrari trail championship leaders Mercedes by 131 points.

Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari looks on as he sits in the garage during final practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 5, 2015
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