Ecclestone believes Binotto cannot carry on leading Ferrari

Former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone believes Mattia Binotto does not have the skills to run a team and feels Ferrari made a mistake in promoting him into the role of team principal.

Binotto is Ferrari's current team boss after taking over from Maurizio Arrivabene. However, Ferrari failed to beat Mercedes in the 2019 season with Binotto at the helm, which to many was seen as very disappointing considering how the car performed in pre-season testing. Ecclestone believes that Ferrari made a poor decision with the promotion because he lacks the necessary leadership qualities.

"He's an engineer, and they actually need someone who can make it clear to people that something happens when you say that," 89-year-old Ecclestone told the Daily Mail. "Not that it might, possibly or probably, happen. There shouldn't be a discussion."

"I had arranged Flavio Briatore to lead the team. He would do what he always did at Benetton and Renault: steal the best people from other teams. The only problem is that Flavio would eventually make everyone think Ferrari was his."