Mattia Binotto Refutes Rumors of Mercedes Engine Chief Joining Ferrari

Scuderia Ferrari have been suffering through their worst season ever in Formula 1. The Italian giants have cited various reasons behind the same. However, there is no way to hide the actual cause, which is primarily engine failures.

After a rather surprising race at Monza on Sunday, it is likely that Ferrari will have several questions hurled their way. To aggravate situations, both their drivers failed to finish the race due to deep-rooted issues.

Ferrari has been on a ledge for a long time, clinging onto the sixth position on the Constructors’ List. However, after being bested by the likes of Racing Point and AlphaTauri at Monza, it really doesn’t look like there is much hope for the team this season.

Sebastian Vettel has been very candid while addressing the issues concerning the team and his future. In a similar vein, Charles Leclerc has raised identical concerns about the Maranello-based outfit’s functioning.

Andy Cowell is Not Joining Ferrari

Amidst all the turmoil at the Italian marquee, Andy Cowell, the Managing Director at the Mercedes AMG High-Performance Powertrains, handed in his resignation letter earlier this year.

Although he is still working with the Brackley-based outfit, he is on the verge of acting on his letter. On being questioned about his decision, Cowell stated, “It’s time for a change; Mercedes is a company that I’m hugely proud to have worked for.

“The people here are an incredible group of people and I’ll miss them. [But] 16 years feels like a long period of time doing largely the same thing. I enjoy the ‘clean sheet of paper’ challenge of design. I think my personality likes the thrill of being dropped into something that’s challenging and scary.”

With him leaving Mercedes, many had assumed that he would be recruited by the Italians. Andy Cowell could have effectively salvaged what was the Prancing Stallion’s sinking ship. However, after considering Cowell’s reason to leave the Silver Arrows, Italy may not be his destination.

The Ferrari boss was questioned regarding this prospect during the pre-race press conference. He clarified that though Cowell is retiring at Mercedes, there was no such declaration as to him joining Ferrari.

Mattia stated, “In terms of new people joining Ferrari in the future, I think that in F1 you can never be satisfied, so if there is anyone that can bring added value to the team it’s our responsibility to look for it and eventually to do it.”

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Mattia Binotto optimistic about Ferrari’s progress

The Ferrari boss continues to be optimistic about his team’s progress this season. He highlighted his statements earlier, after the resumption of F1 in 2020, that it is too early to judge anything regarding a technical rejig of the engine and the chassis.

He stressed that the team is definitely looking into the problems that keep surfacing after every race in the hunt for solutions. However, with the looming threat of COVID-19 this season, Ferrari are on a clock.

Although his drivers have often left races with a sour taste in their mouth courtesy of the team’s performance, Binotto seems to have nothing but praises for them.

“I’m pretty happy in the way that I can feel the people responsible [in the team] understand the urgency of our situation, are working hard, are committed, and united in the way to progress the car and to progress our competitiveness,” he declared.

A string in inexplainable failures has led to Binotto’s optimism being deemed as weird and misplaced. However, it all boils down to the fact that the scarlet squad is on a long road to recovery and the journey may not be so pleasant.

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