Written by Owen Bradley, Edited by Ishani Aziz
Mattia Binotto is set to resign from the role of team principal at Scuderia Ferrari on December 31st, 2022. This has come after many many reports that Alfa Romeo Sauber Team Principal Frederic Vasseur will replace him in 2023. Other rumours suggest that even Ross Brawn might be on a Ferrari shortlist to return to the team.
Binotto leaves Ferrari after joining them in 2019, replacing Maurizio Arrivabene, who was with the Scuderia from 2015-2018 and played a large role in Sebastian Vettel’s major success with the team. Under Mattia Binotto’s control, Vettel’s fate seemed to worsen, only winning one race: Singapore 2019. It is becoming clear that Ferrari have a major issue when it comes to retaining consistent leadership.
Team principal of Red Bull, Christian Horner, has been with the team since its inception in 2005. Toto Wolff has been the Mercedes team principal since 2013. In comparison, since 2005 Ferrari have had quite the turnover: Jean Todt, 1993-2007, Stefano Domenicali, 2008-2014, Marco Mattiacci, 2014, Maurizio Arrivabene, 2015-2018 and now, Mattia Binotto, 2019-2022.
Binotto’s demise was constructed by several events, but a major turning point will have been when he refused to acknowledge the strategic failings from the pit wall, claiming blindly: “There is no reason why not to win 10 races from now to the end (of the season).” Ferrari did not win any of those 10 races. In fact, Ferrari had 12 pole positions, nine owed to Charles Leclerc and three from Carlos Sainz. Only a meagre third of those pole positions took them to victory, achieving just four race wins altogether.
Mattia Binotto says he remains focused on building a good car for 2023, however we will have to wait and see if he stays true to his word. Especially since in 2022 the problem wasn’t particularly the car, it was the team.
What do you think? Is this the right decision? Should Ferrari have stayed loyal to their team principal? Let us know in the comments below!
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