'Horner and Seidl were Ferrari's dream candidates to replace Binotto'

Mattia Binotto is leaving Ferrari at the end of this year. The team boss himself has decided to quit. Frederic Vasseur is now named as favourite to succeed him, but previously Christian Horner and Andreas Seidl were approached by the Italian racing stable.

It was only a matter of time and on Tuesday morning the high word came out: Binotto is leaving Ferrari. The team boss still had a contract until 2023, but a lack of confidence made the Italian decide not to serve out his contract. Ferrari already had doubts about the team's top man and earlier threw out lines to replace him.

Auto, Motor und Sport Indeed, knows to report that last winter Ferrari had already sounded out some team bosses from other teams. Horner and Seidl were the dream candidates for the Maranello-based racing stable, but both are said to have politely declined the perhaps toughest job in F1. If Binotto's second place among the constructors is already inadequate, then you know the leadership will only settle for the world title.

As Seidl and Horner turned down the offer, Binotto was given another year to prove himself, but a second place was not enough to get the full backing of the top. So a huge pressure on the shoulders of a new team boss. Vasseur would be the favourite for that role. The Frenchman's future at Sauber is uncertain as Audi will eventually take over and so the team boss of current Alfa Romeo could take the risk.