The Formula 1 divorce is complete!
Scuderia Ferrari and team boss Mattia Binotto (53) will go their separate ways at the end of the year. The first media reports of a separation had already appeared in mid-November – at that time Ferrari had denied this as “unfounded”.
Now the change of heart. The racing team announced on Tuesday morning that they had accepted Binotto’s resignation. He will leave his role as Scuderia team boss on December 31.
Despite the denial, the separation had been indicated: In some races, including the penultimate Brazilian Grand Prix, Binotto was no longer at the racetrack. Add to that the disappointing end of the Scuderia season. Ferrari’s hopes for the 2022 season were greater than the result. The Reds dominated in the first races and fought a close World Championship fight with Red Bull. The engine was the strongest in the field until the end of the season. But the mistakes were simply too numerous to seriously get involved in the title fight in the long term. Verstappen was world champion in Japan. Again and again there were engine reliability problems, bad bucks in strategy and pit stops and mistakes made by the drivers on the track.
Even if there is official talk of Binotto’s resignation, it is quite possible that the separation came from Ferrari. The decision to leave Mick Schumacher (23) at Haas was no longer made by Binotto, but by his deputy Laurent Mekies.
Binotto is quoted as saying in the release: “With the regret that this brings, I have decided to end my association with Ferrari. I leave a company I love and have been part of for 28 years with the clarity that comes from the belief that I have done everything to achieve the goals set.”
And further: “I am leaving a united and growing team. A strong team that is certainly ready to achieve the highest goals and I wish them all the best for the future. I think it is right to take this step at this time, as difficult as this decision was for me. I would like to thank all Gestione Sportiva employees who have shared with me this journey, marked by difficulties but also by great satisfaction.”
Fifa didn’t want to show him on TV The rainbow runabout in the video
And who follows Binotto now?
Already with the first rumors of resignation or dismissal, there was speculation as to whether Fred Vasseur (54), who is currently team boss at Alfa Romeo Sauber, will be Binotto’s successor. This would fit: Audi will join Sauber in 2026. This will entail some major structural changes in the team. In addition, Vasseur knows Ferrari driver and World Cup hope Charles Leclerc (24) well from their common Sauber times.
The official Ferrari announcement states that the successor is expected to be finalized in the new year.