Lawrence Baretto, senior writer at Formula 1 and someone who works closely with drivers and teams, explains how Scuderia Ferrari is changing its approach to the way the team works and how responsibility is divided within the team, in a recent article for Formula1’s official website:
“Ferrari accept it will take time first to create the plan, then to implement it. To do this, you need support from up top. That Binotto is still in his job despite a slow start shows that Ferrari are giving him just that. He has their backing to build a team and a facility that will create stability – and constant progress. To build a new cycle, Ferrari have four clear targets – to be openminded, to eradicate the blame culture, for leaders to take responsibility and to work as a team. Binotto believes that it is no longer possible for one senior leader to run the team, as Formula 1 teams have become so big, so technical.
You can’t specialise in everything. Power must be devolved, managers need to take more responsibility. It is why Ferrari restructured their technical department into four pillars, with Enrico Cardile running the chassis department, Laurent Mekies the racing team, Enrico Gualtieri the power unit and Gianmaria Fulgenzi the supply chain, all reporting to Binotto.
For this strategy to be successful, those leaders must believe they have the support of the bosses to make the big decisions, without fear they will be fired if something goes wrong. They must feel empowered to maximise their expertise in that area of specialism. While many staff have been at the team for decades, many are young in new roles.
Binotto is one of them, 25 years in the team but only in his third year as the man in charge. Everyone needs to be given time for the new system to be put in place. That is what Binotto – whose leadership style carries an air of calmness and softness – is doing right now. He is changing a culture that has been in place for decades.”
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