Mattia Binotto comments on Fred Vasseur's Ferrari: "He made his choices, but no revolutions"
10/12/2024 06:06 AM
The world upside down. Now, the Swiss-Italian finds himself commenting on the work of his successor at the head of Scuderia Ferrari. After years of leading Ferrari, with successes and many mistakes hidden behind problems or bad luck, he is now in charge of a new team, Audi. With his almost constant presence in the paddock and understanding of how that world works, Mattia Binotto has commented on the work and decisions made by Fred Vasseur at Ferrari.
The dismissal still stings
In an interview with the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, Mattia Binotto talked about how he sees Frederic Vasseur's Ferrari and how the team has changed under his leadership. Despite the three victories and many podiums in the 2024 Formula One season, Mattia Binotto believes the results are a product of his management.
“I'd rather say what I've seen in Ferrari. Fred has been able to continue the project with continuity; he didn't revolutionize a structured and functional organization. He also made his own choices, but I repeat: if Ferrari wins, I'm happy because I know the team and how much effort was put in to bring it to a certain level.”
Mattia Binotto does not admit to a Ferrari revolution
In mid-2022, rumors began circulating about his replacement at the helm of Ferrari. Several names were considered to take his place, but in the end, Frederic Vasseur, who previously led Alfa Romeo Sauber, emerged. In December 2022, his departure from Ferrari became official in favor of the manager from France.
Since the beginning of his tenure at Maranello, Frederic Vasseur has set a work method totally different from what was seen during the Mattia Binotto era. Moreover, the new Ferrari team principal took charge of a project born from a limited concept, which he was forced to overturn in order to try to return to the top. The SF-23, an evolution of the F1-75, showed more limitations than the 2022 car, with understeer, lack of downforce, and unpredictability being a daily occurrence.
Even during the 2023 pre-season tests, Frederic Vasseur's influence started to be seen, with the first clashes involving the former head of aerodynamics Sanchez. The Frenchman, in fact, was “fired” because he failed to avoid repeating the 2022 mistakes. From there, a cascade of changes followed inexorably, with departures and new additions to the Scuderia.
The most notable changes were Enrico Cardile, former Ferrari Technical Director, and, as mentioned before, David Sanchez, former Chief Aero Design. Additionally, last but not least, Inaki Rueda, former head of strategy. In Rueda's place came Diego Tondi, who has since "produced" a growing SF-24 with a more stable aerodynamic base. Proof of this is the new floor and new front wing, which have brought Ferrari almost always back into the fight for victory.
The only department that remained intact is the Power Unit department, with Enrico Gualtieri managing Powertrain operations. However, there have been new additions to that department, with the latest coming from Alpine.
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