F1 President Domenicali gives verdict on Ferrari sacking Binotto

Mick Schumacher drives his father’s Ferrari F2003-GA

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has claimed Mattia Binotto lost his job at Ferrari because “second is not enough”. The former Ferrari team principal weighed into the debate hours after Ferrari issued a statement confirming Binotto will leave at the end of December.

Domenicali said: “When you are second with Ferrari, it is something that is not enough. I don’t want to get into the dynamic of the team, for sure I want to wish him the best for his future.

“I was in the same situation or position many years ago and I want to wish him to stay focused and believe in himself. And of course, on the other hand, I hope that Ferrari find the right solution to stay on track because they did a big recovery from where they were two years ago.

“We need Ferrari to be competitive and we need to have a good team, strong team, strong drivers to fight against the others so that is really the wish I am hoping for.” Questions over Binotto’s future at the team were rife ahead of the final weekend of the season in Abu Dhabi.

It came after reports that Binotto’s relationship with Charles Leclerc had broken down with the pair no longer on speaking terms. However, Ferrari backed their boss and shot down the speculation as being totally unfounded.

This front lasted just days with pressure ramping up on the Italian boss by the end of last week. Italian media suggested Binotto never had the backing of Ferrari chief John Elkann, especially over key issues in the paddock.

It comes months after Elkann issued a warning to Binotto to Monza that improvements were needed. Ferrari won two of the first three races in 2022 before their title bid crumbled due to strategic errors and reliability issues.

DON’T MISS
Mattia Binotto ‘never’ had the backing of Ferrari boss amid tensions [COMMENT]
Ross Brawn opens up on his F1 future with Ferrari on hunt for new boss [INSIGHT]
Red Bull boss Christian Horner ‘turns down Ferrari move’ [ANALYSIS]

Binotto’s exit was formally finalised on Tuesday with the 53-year-old’s replacement set to be decided in the new year. Binotto explained: “With the regret that this entails, I have decided to conclude my collaboration with Ferrari.

“I am leaving a company that I love, which I have been part of for 28 years, with the serenity that comes from the conviction that I have made every effort to achieve the objectives set. I leave a united and growing team.”

Source: Read Full Article