Ferrari became the ‘first of the losers’ in 2022 when they settled for second place. These were Ferrari CEO, Benedetto Vigna’s words to declare his intention for the upcoming season. The scarlet team had to take tough calls before beginning the campaign for the next season. The ex-Ferrari boss, Mattia Binotto, was ousted following the ambitions of the team as they failed to claim the title in both categories. Replaced by his friend, the Swiss-born Italian engineer has now declared that the car that developed under his wing is not his. But he has a last hope for the team.

Binotto had a double role to perform when he became Team Principal of the Maranello-based outfit along with being a CTO. The development of the next season’s car, where the final outcome is delivered after a trial spanning over months, begins a year prior to the challenger’s debut. For the Italian manufacturers, their now ousted TP was at the helm of managerial and technical roles when the 2023 car was being built. However, after being pushed into the gardening phase for a period, Binotto doesn’t want to claim his ex-team’s car. He also stated that the car has to be of the top make to make a difference.

As quoted by Motorsport.Com, Binotto said, “This car was designed last year when I was at Ferrari and is an evolution of the 2022 car, but it’s not my car, it’s Ferrari’s car.”

He further added, “You need the best car to win. A driver only makes the difference in the last 0.2 seconds on the track. Talent, driving skills and mindset are also very important because a driver needs to lead the whole team.” [Translated using Google]

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While the former boss shrugged away from his ties with the newly revealed SF-23, the Monegasque at Scuderia Ferrari has embraced the new scarlet beast with open arms.

The former Ferrari Boss reveals who a team is centered around

The SF-23 was revealed in the grandest fashion possible. Instead of taking the virtual path, the car was revealed in front of a live audience on a track. Everyone from the F1 world chimed in to give their bit on the scarlet beauty and Binotto, who already dusted his hands off of the new red car, gave an insight on the most integral part of the team setup. And it is the same person who showcased the car to the Tifosi.

Binotto said, “After all, the driver is the hero of the team, he is one of the most important people, he talks the most with the journalists, the president, the mechanics, the whole team. So I think a driver makes a difference on the track, but also his ability to motivate and improve the team makes a difference.”

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Do you think Ferrari can claim their lost glory in 2023?