Team boss Binotto and Ferrari announce split at end of the year

Ferrari has officially announced that Mattia Binotto will step down as team boss on 31 December. The statement follows weeks of rumours that the team boss' position was under pressure.

Binotto quits as team boss at Ferrari

Ferrari has announced on its official website that Binotto and Ferrari have mutually agreed to end their collaboration. It is rumoured that Fred Vasseur, the current Alfa Romeo team boss, will be Binotto's successor. Ferrari has not yet announced anything about the new boss, but expects to have found a successor 'in the new year'.

Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna stated the following: "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."

He continued: "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."

Long tenure comes to an end

Binotto has worked for the Italian racing team since 1995. He started his career in the engine department, where he became manager in 2013. Some three years later, Binotto was appointed chief technical officer. Two years ago, he was promoted to team boss, following the departure of Maurizio Arrivabene.

Binotto's leadership style was mainly characterised by seeking dialogue internally rather than assigning blame and sacking staff when things were not running as smoothly. In 2022, however, the team boss faced a lot of criticism, especially from Italy, for failing to take tough action after the team made mistakes on several occasions.

Several mistakes and reliability problems caused Red Bull Racing to get away further and further. The fact that Ferrari was almost overtaken by Mercedes in the constructors' championship contributed to the increased pressure on Binotto in recent weeks.