Scuderia Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has shared his thoughts on the “no-blame culture” which the Maranello team has implemented with the goal of getting back to the top in Formula 1.
Things needed to change in Ferrari after several difficult seasons as the Italian side plummeted down the order during a harrowing 2020 Formula 1 championship, up to the point of having to settle for just a few points on certain race weekends. A detailed root-and-branch analysis of operations at Maranello was made in order to try and reverse the team’s fortunes. The benefits can be seen this season, as Ferrari has proven able to fight for race wins, taking two victories so far and challenging Red Bull for both Formula 1 world championships.
Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto pointed out that returning to title contention is a process the Maranello team should not accelerate just because of this year’s progress.
However, after company chairman John Elkann talked about eradicating a “culture of guilt”, the Ferrari Team Principal also reflected on his version of a philosophy which has helped rivals Mercedes for almost a decade as they dominated the sport and defeated Ferrari on several occasions: “It is taking the error more as an opportunity of a lesson learned, rather than blaming and pointing fingers. It is all about being brave enough to hear, to listen and to do something which is really open-minded. It is about working as a team, a single individual understanding the common responsibility.” – he explained.
Over the last few seasons, Mattia Binotto, formerly Ferrari’s chief technical officer, has moved on to become team principal exclusively having combined those two roles three years ago: “You cannot do well in both,” the 52-year-old admitted. “It’s only then we moved into an organisation where I was no longer technical director but we have clear responsibilities.” – he explained.
Currently, the chassis and power unit areas are led by two Enricos – respectively, head of chassis design Enrico Cardile and power-unit chief Enrico Gualtieri.
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Of Enrico Cardile, who moved across from Ferrari’s road car operation in 2017, Mattia Binotto said:
“He certainly did not have the skills specific to F1. But since then he has got five years on technical matters of F1, so is a lot stronger, and that’s the same for everyone in their proper role. Five years on, we have stronger skills and better people. We have employed more than 30 people from other teams, people who brought fresh ideas, new methodologies. The team is people, culture, tools and methodology. The car is simply the product of the team, starting in 2017 with a good base but not with the right experience, skills and tools. Since then, step by step going through 2019, 2020, we have got to where we are today.” – the Ferrari boss concluded.
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