Horner praises Binotto: 'It must be hard to leave the team'

Major absentee at the annual FIA gala is Mattia Binotto. The Italian is currently still team boss of Ferrari, but will be absent in Bologna. So it will be a farewell without the spotlights Binotto.

As the team boss of Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner did attend the gala. Later in the evening, he will be presented with the trophy belonging to the constructors' championship. During the press conference prior to the award ceremony, Horner addressed the departure of Binotto, last season his biggest rival.

Horner had words of praise for Binotto, who may be succeeded by Fred Vasseur. "He did a very good job developing a strong car and engine. It must be hard for him to leave that team after devoting so much time to that team. It's (Ferrari) not just an OEM but a national team so the pressure is high", Horner said.

Horner reiterated that he was extremely happy to have captured the constructors' title for the first time in the hybrid era. Looking back, he had to conclude that it did not look like that right at the beginning of the season. "We didn't have the strongest car at the start of the season but Max kept us in the fight, and when there was a chance he took it. He kept us in the fight."