Ferrari Dismiss Rumors Surrounding Binotto’s Sudden Departure and Camilleri’s Shock Retirement

Recently, Louis Camilleri gave up his CEO position at Ferrari as he announced his entry into the phase of retirement. Apparently, he had fallen victim to COVID-19, which was one of the biggest reasons behind his decision to retire.

With the CEO position there for the taking, people started connecting Louis’s retirement to Scuderia Ferrari team principal, Mattia Binotto, who has been absent since the start of the Grand Prix weekend in Abu Dhabi.

Before the speculations go up in sparks, Laurent Mekies, Ferrari’s sporting director, revealed why Binotto had been reluctant to join the team in the paddock at Abu Dhabi GP.

Why has Mattia Binotto been absent for the last two Grand Prix weekends?

Speaking to SkySport, Mekies opened up that Binotto was feeling under the weather, following the Sakhir Grand Prix. As a precaution, his doctors had advised him to return home and recover. Mekies also clarified that Binotto wasn’t experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19.

“No, Camilleri’s choice has nothing to do with the absence of the team principal at Yas Marina,” he said. “I was with Binotto in Bahrain. He was not well after the Grand Prix.

“Nothing to do with COVID, but the doctors, they advised him to go home to get better treatment. But it’s not serious. He’s fine.”

With the season reaching its conclusion following the Abu Dhabi GP, Binotto will have plenty of time to recover and ultimately return stronger for the pre-season testing set to take place in February next year.

Camilleri has given incredible support to the Ferrari F1 team: Mekies

It is a known fact that Ferrari is one of the most passionate teams in Formula 1. However, their 2020 season took a massive hit, and they have since been going through a terrible phase.

Despite slipping into the unexpected pitfall, Mekies opened up that Camilleri, along with John Elkann, gave incredible support to the team.

“Camilleri has always given incredible support together with President Elkann, even in a particularly difficult season. And therefore our thoughts are with him at the moment,” he said.

Will Camilleri’s absence affect the team? Well, it most likely won’t. Elkann, chairman of Ferrari, will be taking over the role of CEO until Ferrari figures out a permanent solution. Thus, the F1 team will remain unaffected by this sudden decision and will carry on like usual.