Mattia Binotto leaves behind “a united and growing team” after Ferrari accepted his resignation as team principal.
Speculation over his future had been swirling for several weeks with the Scuderia strongly rejecting initial reports in Italian media prior to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that the Swiss chief would be replaced by Alfa Romeo’s Fred Vasseur.
However, fast forward to Tuesday and Ferrari put out a statement confirming Binotto’s departure after a difficult 2022 Formula 1 season that showed early promise but petered out with no wins after the summer break.
“With the regret that this entails, I have decided to conclude my collaboration with Ferrari,” Binotto commented. “I think it is right to take this step at this time as hard as this decision has been for me.
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“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. A strong team, ready, I’m sure, to achieve the highest goals, and to which I wish all the best for the future.
“I would like to thank all the people at the Gestione Sportiva who have shared this journey with me, made up of difficulties but also of great satisfaction.”
Behind the scenes at Ferrari, it appears there was a disconnect between Binotto and upper management, including chairman John Elkann, who publicly backed the now-former team boss prior to the Italian GP, and new CEO Benedetto Vigna.
Even so, the latter praised the Maranello stalwart who first joined the team’s engine department a year after leaving university in 1995 before rising through the ranks to become team principal in 2019.
“I would like to thank Mattia for his many great contributions over 28 years with Ferrari and particularly for leading the team back to a position of competitiveness during this past year,” Vigna said.
“As a result, we are in a strong position to renew our challenge, above all for our amazing fans around the world, to win the ultimate prize in motorsport.
“Everyone here at the Scuderia and in the wider Ferrari community wishes Mattia well for the future.”
Binotto will officially leave Ferrari on December 31 and enter a period of gardening leave before being permitted to potentially join another F1 team, with Alpine, Aston Martin and Audi all named as possible interested parties.
His successor will be confirmed in early 2023.