The Formula 1 season will be over in just a few days, but the power games inside the Ferrari team seem to have just begun. The week that accompanied teams and drivers from Interlagos to Abu Dhabi was marked by rumors regarding the future leadership of the Prancing Horse team.
The rumors have become extremely strong and have pointed in an ever so explicit way to Frédéric Vasseur, the current team principal of Alfa Romeo, which according to the Italian media was suppose to replacere Mattia Binotto at Ferrari. An unexpected announcement which, however, was denied quite clearly by Maranello by issuing an official press release that seemed to confirm – at least in appearance – Mattia Binotto in his current role also for the 2023 Formula 1 season.
It is no mystery that the relationship between Mattia Binotto and the team’s top driver, Charles Leclerc, is not at all idyllic. In recent days, French newspaper L’Equipe even underlined how the two have not spoken since Silverstone, after the famous finger pointed by Binotto against the Monegasque. It is no coincidence that instead the name of Frédéric Vasseur, closely linked to Charles Leclerc, had appeared in the newspapers. Naturally, the Italian press is also dealing with the matter.
Giorgio Terruzzi, in the columns of Corriere della Sera, tried to analyze the question, highlighting Charles Leclerc’s wishes and the associated risks.
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“The words used by the Ferrari top management to deny the speculations regarding Binotto’s position would suggest a definitive end to the Vasseur hypothesis […] – reads the article written by Giorgio Terruzzi – […] Vasseur, given by some as out of contention at this point […] seems to self-nominated himself. However, taking advantage of two decisive aspects: Carlos Tavares, CEO Stellantis, an old friend of him and Charles Leclerc […]. Charles […] would like to work with a boss who will give him the role of first driver. Which, regardless of what may happen in Maranello, offers a typical and critical scenario. With some risk for the driver. […] Charles Leclerc has no alternative outside Ferrari. […] He often talks with John Elkann, the two see each other […]. It remains to be seen what kind of response the supreme boss of Ferrari can give to a driver who claims a privileged position within a team deliberately made up of two strong drivers, both chosen with the goal of bringing many points. […]. […]. For this reason, Charles Leclerc’s attitude must be monitored carefully. Taking this direction would mean assuming very heavy responsibilities, especially in the event of failure. […]”.
Fulvio Solms also shared his thoughts in the pages of the Corriere dello Sport, adding to the already complicated equation the variable represented by the Sainz family, not at all convinced by the evolution of the internal feud between Charles Leclerc and Mattia Binotto, which could also affect the future of Carlos:
“Even Carlos Sainz, who is not part of these games, is now on a chaotic ground. He would never stay to play a supporting role in Ferrari. In the meantime, Carlos’ father not only races for Audi, but also talks about his son. Which will most likely be there in 2026, when the Audi team will be built around Sauber. Without Vasseur.”
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