Ferrari: Italian journalist hints notable departure of engineers linked with Mattia Binotto recruitment campaign
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“We’ll make noise.” Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, did not mince words when commenting on the recruitment campaign launched by the Scuderia in 2023 to strengthen its technical staff after a disappointing start to the season, which had dropped Ferrari to fourth place in the Constructors’ standings. Over the past few months, the situation has changed, improving both in terms of results and team management. During this time, the promises made by the French manager have been kept. In order, he signed Lewis Hamilton for 2025, renewed Charles Leclerc’s contract, and started a revamp of the racing department according to his vision.
After the addition of junior figures from various teams, Ferrari's technical office found a new technical director in Loic Serra, replacing the resigned Enrico Cardile, and Jerome D’Ambrosio also joined the ranks as deputy team principal, acting as a liaison between Fred Vasseur and non-race-related matters. However, the turnover is not yet complete, as Ferrari is seeking (perhaps achieving) a new stability. This involves bringing in new technicians to strengthen weak areas (such as composites and simulations), securing key figures for the project, and, if necessary, parting ways with important people who may no longer fit the new direction or are attracted to new challenges.
The latter case applies to some individuals, following Mattia Binotto’s appointment as head of Audi's F1 project, who previously worked with the former head of Ferrari’s racing department. The Italian manager, tasked with laying the foundation for Audi’s entry into Formula 1, is trying to convince some of his former colleagues, whose skills and strengths he knows well, to move to Switzerland to strengthen an emerging team and provide it with the necessary experience. Leo Turrini, on his blog “Profondo Rosso,” referred to this recruitment process as an open secret, admitting that some Ferrari staff are looking to switch teams soon.
“In and around Maranello, it's a bit of an open secret: Mattia Binotto's recruitment campaign. Whatever you think about his work in Ferrari, it’s notable that Audi has chosen him for their F1 debut. Having spent his entire professional career at Ferrari, it’s obvious that Binotto has invited technicians he knows well to join him in this new adventure. Some have declined the offer. Others will accept.” – the Italian journalist pointed out.
The Audi project in F1 is ambitious and, on paper, has everything to succeed. On paper, because other automotive giants have embarked on this journey in the past with massive investments and failed spectacularly. A warning for the four rings, who, aware of this, decided to rely on an experienced former team principal like Mattia Binotto.
“There are many stories about the scope of the Audi project behind the scenes. The credibility of the brand is not in question, nor is the ambition. Bmw took over Sauber and ended up with nothing. Not to mention Toyota's spectacular flop. Sometimes I hear people say that if a big brand is used to winning in other motorsports, then their DNA will be irresistible in Formula 1. But F1 has its own tremendous specificity. You can have the name, the money, even the drivers, but you need something more. Much more.” – Leo Turrini concluded.
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