Toto Wolff makes views crystal clear on Mercedes hiring Mattia Binotto

Mick Schumacher drives his father’s Ferrari F2003-GA

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Toto Wolff has admitted Mercedes would not be open to signing Mattia Binotto after his Ferrari exit. The Mercedes team boss said too much had happened between the team bosses to consider hiring the Italian. However, Wolff stressed Binotto could yet land at another team from next season.

He told F1’s Beyond The Grid Podcast: “I think there was too much porcelain broken between us over the last few years that this would be possible. With the other teams. I can’t say. Certainly, Mattia understands Formula One inside out and maybe he finds a role in a team – there are many out there that could be targets.”

Binotto had a key role in Ferrari’s technical team with a speciality in engines before being promoted to team boss in 2019. His experience could be crucial in the run-up to a new rules package in 2026.

However, Wolff stressed the pair had clashed in the past which would make any working relationship impossible. It is understood Binotto and Red Bull boss Christian Horner clashed with Wolff at the Canadian Grand Prix over proposed rule changes to tackle porpoising.

F1 journalist Adam Cooper stressed a “heated exchange” between Wolff and Binotto was caught on film by Netflix cameras. It was also reported that Binotto hinted Mercedes were only pushing for changes as their car was underperforming.

Opening up about Binotto’s exit, Wolff hinted the Italian had lasted longer in the position than he first thought but that his departure had become “unavoidable”. Wolff added: “Mattia and I had our moments, it’s not secret over the many years, but we consolidated that in 2022.

“We are in a much better place, but it was always clear that he was under tremendous pressure.”

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mattia binotto

Rumours of Binotto’s possible departure were made ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix last month. Ferrari cooled the claims with a statement backing the team boss but it emerged Binotto did not have the backing of Ferrari chairman John Elkann.

Binotto resigned from the role last week and will leave the team on December 31. The Scuderia has confirmed it will identify his successor in the new year with Alfa Romeo boss Frederic Vasseur among the favourites for the role.

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