“The mistakes he made are unforgivable,” Former Ferrari driver would have ‘kicked out’ Mattia Binotto ‘years ago’
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Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto during a press conference at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (IMAGO / PanoramiC)
Mattia Binotto handed in his resignation to Ferrari at the end of last month. Rumors of him being replaced by Frederic Vasseur had emerged earlier, and even though Ferrari publicly denied them, the Italian soon resigned. This was reportedly due to a ‘lack of confidence’ from the higher-ups and he will be replaced by the subject of those rumours – Vasseur.
2022 was another disappointing year for Ferrari – especially considering their package in the early races. They also made many strategic errors, and Binotto, being the team principal, took the heat for them. Yet, fans had divided opinions on his departure. The Italian, who worked for Ferrari almost 28 years, was considered a technical ‘wizard’. So, many were disappointed that the team will no longer benefit from his expertise. Many hoped he’d stay in another role, but it was not to be.
On the other hand, many agreed that it was the right move. Ferrari are the most successful F1 team of all time – being ‘competitive’ just is not good enough. Anything less than a championship win is often considered a disappointment. Some even argued that Binotto should have left earlier, or that he shouldn’t have been promoted in the first place. Former Ferrari man René Arnoux, who won three races with the Scuderia in the 1980s, belongs to the latter camp.
Arnoux told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “The mistakes he made are unforgivable – I have never been on Binotto’s side. Someone who says ‘next year will be better’ does not deserve the job. I would have kicked him out years ago.” and gave the example of the legendary former Ferrari boss, Jean Todt: “Behaviour like his is intolerable when you’re leading the best team in the world. You may or may not like Jean Todt, but he would never have said ‘next year will be better’. He won and when he won he thought about the following year. But there are few people like Todt and [Ron] Dennis [former McLaren team principal].”
Rene Arnoux’s advice for Mattia Binotto replacement Frederic Vasseur
Ferrari arguably had their most successful period ever in F1 under the helm of a Frenchman, Jean Todt. Now, another Frenchman in the form of Frederic Vasseur will assume the role. Time will tell if he can replicate Todt’s success – that’ll be a Herculean task. But still, the expectations for him are clearly to lead Ferrari to win championships again. Their last constructors’ win was in 2008, and their last drivers’ championship win was in 2007.
Rene Arnoux was unsure if his compatriot could lead the Maranello team to glory again: “I don’t know much about him.” but added that Vasseur has the ‘necessary competence’: “He has the necessary competence and I hope he will be able to pull the team apart from him in terms of technology and strategy, without which you won’t win the world championship.”
Leading Ferrari is perhaps the hardest task in the Formula 1 world. You have the hopes of a nation on your shoulders, and while when you win it’s the best feeling in the world when you lose, you attract considerable scrutiny. Arnoux has only one piece of advice for Vasseur: “It’s very complicated in Maranello because there’s a lot of pressure, you need someone with a strong fist. You have to think that what matters is the result. Vasseur must follow in the footsteps of Todt.”
Ferrari has been given a small boost – Charles Leclerc and Jean Todt have a good relationship. On the other hand, Leclerc’s relationship with Mattia Binotto was rumored to be ‘damaged’. This should also help repair the Monegasque driver’s ‘bond’ with Ferrari, and stop him from seeking a move away. Of course, nothing will stop Leclerc from moving away as well as a championship win would. The goal for Vasseur and Ferrari is to provide him, and also Carlos Sainz, with a stable platform to build a championship charge. The rest is up to the drivers.
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)