Ferrari team boss explains absence in advance: "There's a whole company to manage"

Mattia Binotto previously revealed that he will not be present at all 23 Grands Prix this year. After the launch of the new 2021 car the Ferrari team boss gave more information about his motives. Binotto states that it is important that the factory in Maranello can be managed properly for 2022.

"Last year I missed a few races because here it comes down to managing a whole company and that doesn't just happen during race weekends at the track," said Binotto, who missed a total of three races in 2020. He was then replaced by Laurent Mekies and that will also be the case next season.

Focus on 2022

During the first Grands Prix of this year, Binotto will still travel to the circuit every weekend. Only later in the season will Mekies take over his duties in the paddock. "That will be important to at least evaluate our performance and make sure everything is working properly at the track. But at some point I will then start missing races and focus on 2022 in Maranello."

In 2022, the new regulations make their appearance in Formula 1 and so the key is to run a very good preparation. In any case, the 51-year-old Italian is confident that his duties are in good hands with colleague Mekies."He has enough experience now. He proved last year that he is capable of managing and leading the entire team during race weekends," Binotto said in conversation with Motorsport-Magazin.com.