FE | Maserati: Cyril Blais promoted to be the new Team Principal

The first part of the season proved to be positive for Maserati, which made steps forward in terms of competitiveness, also thanks to the continuous growth shown by the team since the second half of last championship.

However, behind the scenes the team has undergone something of an internal revolution, starting with the surprise departure of James Rossiter before the season even began. The former British driver had assumed the role of Team Principal in September 2022, coinciding with the transformation of the team from Venturi to Maserati.

Rossiter, who had taken over from Jerome D’Ambrosio who moved to Mercedes in F1, had an important background in the electric series behind him, thanks to the seasons spent in DS Techeetah as sporting director, one of the reference teams of Gen 2.

However, even before Season 10 began, after only a year of collaboration in which Maserati’s first victory also came, the relationship between the team and Rossiter suddenly ended. While waiting to find another figure, Jose M Aznar Botella, one of the owners of the team, administrated the team on an interim basis.

However, on Tuesday, Maserati announced who will be the Team Principal who will take the reins of the team. The profile chosen is that of Cyril Blais, an engineer who joined the team in 2021 after an experience at Mahindra, where he also worked with Pascal Wehrlein, current leader of the world championship standings.

Blais was appointed head of engineers at the beginning of the Gen 3 era, in 2023, giving the team a technical direction to pursue in the growth path that has led Maserati to be one of the protagonist teams at this start of the world championship. In addition to Cyril’s promotion, Maserati MSG Racing has also confirmed the appointment of Bérengère Quaix as Chief Financial Officer and James Hughes Mulligan as Commercial Director.

Cyril Blais, Chief Engineer, Maserati MSG Racing

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images

“Being promoted to the position of deputy team principal is a great honor. I know the role will represent a new challenge, but it is an opportunity that excites me. Since joining the team prior to Season 8, I have witnessed firsthand our evolution and transformation of the team, and I look forward to building on our foundation to grow even further in the future,” explained Blais.

“After an excellent start to the 2024 season with a win in Tokyo and a podium in Misano, the level of motivation, determination and ambition within the team is at an all-time high and, although my promotion came later in the season, it won’t change my focus or responsibilities on a technical level. I will continue to push for the best possible results in the second half of the season, and we can’t wait to get back on track this weekend,” added the new Team Principal.

Botella will continue to have a key role in the team with the figure of “Acting Team Principal”, also being a shareholder of the team.

Maximilian Gunther, Maserati Racing, Maserati Tipo Folgore

Photo by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Images

“I remember when Cyril joined our team as a race engineer in Season 8. Right away, his natural leadership qualities emerged from his side of the garage and, since then, he has played a vital role in shaping the our technical structure, our culture and the strong sense of identity and team spirit,” said Botella when explaining Blais’ appointment.

“With an in-depth knowledge of not only Formula E, but also motorsport as a whole, Cyril is the perfect person to take on the role of deputy team principal and, having seen the impact he has had on our entire team, especially starting in 2023, his promotion to this position was a natural, simple and very direct decision. Cyril has earned this opportunity through hard work and a clear ability to unite the team.”

Maserati approaches the Berlin stage with renewed hopes, right on the track where the Trident achieved its first podium in the electric category last year. This year the double event represents an opportunity to gain important points and relaunch yourself in the world rankings. Furthermore, the team has also announced that during the rookie tests which will take place next Monday, Felipe Drugovich and Nico Pino, recently included in the Stellantis academy, will drive the Tipo Folgore.