Mattia Binotto has resigned from his post as the Ferrari Formula 1 team’s principal following four seasons at the head of the Maranello-based outfit.
Binotto, who joined Ferrari in 1996 as an engine engineer, ascended to the position of team principal in 2019 following the departure of Maurizio Arrivabene at the end of the 2018 F1 season.
After enduring a bright start in 2019, Ferrari secured three wins en route to second in that year’s Constructors’ Championship, Binotto oversaw one of Ferrari’s worst ever F1 campaigns in 2020, when the team finished sixth in the standings.
Despite failing to win a single race in consecutive seasons, the team did improve to finish third in 2021 ahead of the sport’s major technical overhaul in 2022.
The 2022 season would start brightly for Ferrari, with the Italian team winning two of the opening three races, but they would eventually finish a distant second following Red Bull’s display of ruthless consistency post the Austrian Grand Prix.
After enduring a season where Ferrari’s leadership and race strategy was constantly called into question, Binotto has ended weeks of speculation regarding his future be confirming his resignation.
Binotto leaves on a high
While Binotto might have failed in his pursuits to claim either the Drivers’ or Constructors’ Championships, the Swiss-born Italian has maintained he is leaving behind a strong foundation for Ferrari’s next team principal to build on.
“With the regret that this entails, I have decided to conclude my collaboration with Ferrari,” Binotto said in an official press statement.
“I am leaving a company that I love, which I have been part of for 28 years, with the serenity that comes from the convinction 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, to which I wish all the best for the future. I think it is right to take this step at this time as hard as this decision has been for me.
“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.”
Ferrari CEO echoes sentiment
Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna ecohed Binotto’s feeling that the team is well placed to finally break their 15 year wait for a Drivers’ Championship.
“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 in the same press statement.
“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.”
Ferrari has also stated that Binotto’s successor will be announced in the new year.
