Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc has confirmed that he is optimistic regarding the Maranello team’s possibility of being able to survive a new restructuring of leadership, after the official confirmation about Mattia Binotto leaving Ferrari at the end of 2022.
Despite the very encouraging pre-season testing sessions and a perfect start to the 2022 Formula 1 campaign, Scuderia Ferrari did not manage to materialise its strong early pace into a sustained championship fight against Red Bull, as the Maranello had to eventually defend against Mercedes to take second place in the Constructors’ Championship, with Red Bull comfortably securing both titles in 2022.
Mattia Binotto has been in charge of working on next year’s project but he will not get the chance to attempt a new title challenge with Ferrari as he eventually handed in his resignation from his role as Team Principal and the Italian manager will leave the team after 28 years at the end of 2022. Scuderia Ferrari is now evaluating possible options to replace Mattia Binotto, with Frederic Vasseur seen as the main favourite to continue his work in Maranello.
Last Friday Charles Leclerc took part in the FIA Prize Giving ceremony and was asked about this situation, most importantly whether he feared the Italian side could suffer due to another reset to the start of another ‘cycle’ with a new leadership structure being implemented ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season.
“I don’t know because, from my own experience, I’ve never had a team principal change during when I was racing for the same team. It will probably require a little bit of time for the team principal to get at ease with the system and with Ferrari, because it’s obviously a huge team. I believe that if it’s done the right way, I don’t think we will suffer any of it on the track. I’m pretty sure it will be a smooth transition.” – Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc said.
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Given the fact that the most important Formula 1 role has become available, it is no surprise that the Italian and international media have been have been speculating on possible permanent replacements. With Charles Leclerc being considered by many Ferrari’s best chance of fighting for the Formula 1 titles in the next years, the Monegasque was asked if he had his own personal shortlist of candidates he would like to see in charge of the Maranello Racing Division:
“No, and I won’t comment on that, and obviously it’s also not my decision, John [Elkann, Chairman] and Benedetto [Vigna, CEO] are going to take the decision. We are just trying to focus our job on the simulator with the team in order to have the best race car possible for for next year, but the decision will will be done by them.” – Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc concluded.
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