His fortunes were founded on real estate speculation and the accumulation of commercial television channels which gave him a virtual monopoly over commercial TV broadcasting in Italy.
Di Giovanni would not comment on future commercial activities with the team, such as speculation that Marlboro could put Ferrari branding on cigarette packets as a way around the legislation.
Stanley O'Neal may fuel the speculation that the investment bank is looking to buy a commercial bank to help boost its lending and deposit-gathering activities.