BINOTTO RESIGNS FROM FERRARI: WHO WILL BE HIS SUCCESSOR?

After four seasons as team principal, plus years as technical director and an iconic engineer within the most famous team in the world, Mattia Binotto will end his tenure at Ferrari on December 31, following his resignation on November 29. This marks the end of a 28-year working relationship with the Prancing Horse. Binotto will still play a role in constructing the new 2023 car at Fiorano Modenese.

The split between the Lausanne-born engineer and Ferrari had been anticipated for some time. Factors include the car’s lack of reliability—think of the Monaco, Silverstone, and Hungary GPs—the strained relationship with Leclerc, a modest record of only seven wins in 82 Grands Prix under his leadership, and his decision to take on a centralised role without delegating to a technical director or political coordinator. This approach ultimately led to an overwhelming concentration of responsibilities on him and the decision to part ways with the Modenese team.

Within Ferrari, several names are circulating as possible successors. The governance, particularly John Elkann, is leaning towards restoring a “triumvirate” model to distribute responsibilities and foster a more organised environment. Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari’s current CEO, appears to be the frontrunner for the political role, while Simone Resta may return as technical director after his experience with Haas.

For the team principal role, many candidates have been mentioned. However, some, like Christian Horner, Andreas Seidl, and Ross Brawn, have either declined or ruled themselves out. Currently, two leading names are Frédéric Vasseur, Alfa Romeo Racing’s team principal, who has previously worked with Leclerc but does not entirely convince Elkann, and Jonathan Giacobazzi, former executive race manager for Ferrari.

At the FIA General Assembly on Wednesday, December 7, held in Bologna, Laurent Mekies, Ferrari’s racing director, represented the team. Mekies has worked alongside Binotto at the pit wall and his involvement has boosted his standing as a potential replacement. However, this may be an interim solution until a final decision is made.

Ferrari is still narrowing down the field for the right candidate, with fans hoping for a return to peak competitiveness. It has been 15 years since Raikkonen’s last drivers’ championship in 2007 and since Ferrari’s last constructors’ title in 2008. For Ferrari’s loyal supporters, this wait for a world champion driver and a leading constructor title has been far too long.

By Marco Munari