“Behavior Like This Is Intolerable”: Scathing Criticism Voiced Against Outgoing Mattia Binotto After “Unforgivable” Offence

Ferrari failed to win any trophy while Mattia Binotto was the team principal for 4 years. The Prancing Horse’s drivers were challenged for the championship in a couple of seasons, but the trophy remained elusive. As constructors, they were arguably never close enough to pose any threat to winning the world championship. Veteran Ferrari driver Rene Arnoux has now slammed Binotto after his resignation.

Ever since the season finale in Abu Dhabi, the F1 streets were rife with rumors of Ferrari sacking Binotto. But before the Maranello-based team could fire him, Binotto tendered his resignation. The management duly accepted the resignation through a press statement told he will leave the team on December 31 this year.

Looking back at the Italian boss’s tenure while talking with Gazzetta dello Sport, Rene Arnoux said, “The mistakes he made are unforgivable. I have never been on Binotto’s side. Someone who says ‘next year will be better’ doesn’t deserve that place. I would have put him out already several years ago. Behavior like his is intolerable when you’re at the helm of the best team in the world.” [Translated using Google]

“You may or may not like Jean Todt, but he would never have said: ‘It will be better next year’. He won, and when he won he thought about the following year. But there are few Todt and Ron Dennis.”

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As for Binotto’s replacement Frederic Vasseur, Arnoux remains hopeful. However, he is wary of the fact that managing a mid-table team like Alfa Romeo and Ferrari is very two different things. Giedo van der Garde, the former F1 driver, is certain Vasseur will succeed, though.

Will Frederic Vasseur replicate Jean Todt-like success at Ferrari?

Having worked with Vasseur during his Formula 3 Euro Series stint, Van der Garde knows him well. Citing his experience and management qualities, Giedo believes his former team principal can guide the Prancing Horse to glory.

Talking with Viaplay, he said, “He is a man with experience and someone who knows how to lead a team. And he knows how to win a championship; that may not have happened in Formula 1 yet, but in all the other classes in which he has been active, he has operated successfully.”

Talking about the red team’s struggles with strategies lately, Giedo admitted, “That’s something Vasseur will have to look at. But also about how communication between the engineers and the drivers goes, how the team is structured, and how the culture is within the team.”

“That will take some time, but give him that time because he can become the new Jean Todt when it comes to the successes he can achieve at Ferrari.”

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Ferrari started the 2022 season well with 2 wins out of the first 3 races. They will certainly look to bounce back stronger under Fred’s leadership and maintain the momentum in 2023.