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Wolff lashes out at Ferrari: 'You better have good contract for your exit'

Wolff lashes out at Ferrari: 'You better have good contract for your exit'

07-12-2022 14:01 Last update: 17:49
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GPblog.com

Toto Wolff is not at all surprised that Mattia Binotto is leaving Ferrari. The Austrian had been noticing for some time that Binotto was under a lot of pressure and he expected that his departure would therefore be a matter of time. In The Beyond The Grid podcast Wolff takes the stand for the Italian.

"I think Mattia and I had our moments, it's no secret over this many years," states Wolff. "In a way we consolidated in 2022. We were at a much much better place, but it was always clear he was under tremendous pressure. Being a team principal at Ferrari, you better have a good contract for your exit."

Wolff points to the many team bosses who have worked at Ferrari over the past 15 years. Binotto, who took up the role of team boss in 2019, he says, has lasted a long time. "Now the unavoidable happened, but he held onto it longer than I thought. Absolutely."

"Representing Ferrari, you are representing the whole country. They ride you up, they ride you down with brutality. As an Italian even more because as a foreigner you don't read the news. As an Italian you are clearly in the firing line."

Wolff not interested in Binotto's services

At the end of the year, Binotto will leave Ferrari, after which he could sign with another Formula 1 team. Mercedes seems to be able to put the 53-year-old Italian's knowledge to good use, but Wolff is not keen on bringing him in. Binotto still seems to have plenty of options, however.