“I wouldn’t have signed Lewis. If Charles is the talent, it’s right to bet on him.” These are the comments from Mattia Binotto about Hamilton and Leclerc that have put him in the crosshairs of Ferrari fans. The supporters of the Scuderia did not appreciate the former team principal’s recent interview, as he was already criticized for how he handled the Monegasque driver in the final part of his time at Maranello.
After a strong start to 2022, with successes and satisfaction, the relationship between Charles Leclerc and Mattia Binotto slowly deteriorated. The scenes of their argument at the end of the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, with the former team principal pointing his finger in the face of the number 16 driver, caused a lot of controversy. According to some, it was one of the key moments that led to the split between the two.
In that instance, Charles Leclerc was fighting for a win that would have been crucial for the championship, but he was penalized by Ferrari’s strategy. Charles Leclerc was essentially “sacrificed” in favor of Carlos Sainz, who went on to win the race at the British circuit. That moment seemed to be the final straw, as rumors suggested that the two stopped talking after that incident.
That “if” that sparks debate
In a recent interview with *Il Corriere della Sera*, Mattia Binotto spoke about the arrival of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari and the potential challenges the team could face in managing the relationship with Charles Leclerc. Specifically, the former team principal remarked, “if Charles is the talent, it’s right to bet on him.”
It was these words that triggered the reaction from fans. According to them, that “if” contained a subtle jab at Leclerc. Now, Charles Leclerc will be expected to prove his worth in a head-to-head with a seven-time world champion during a season that, based on what we’ve seen so far, could be highly competitive.
In defense of the Monegasque driver, the Ferrari faithful pointed out that Leclerc has already faced off against a four-time world champion. In the two seasons they were teammates, Charles Leclerc consistently finished ahead of Sebastian Vettel. It was those performances that led Mattia Binotto to fully back Charles Leclerc, opting not to renew Sebastian Vettel‘s expensive contract and instead choosing Carlos Sainz as the team’s future driver.
In the end, it will be up to the track to deliver the verdict. Only results will show if Ferrari’s decision to pair Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc was the right one and whether the Monegasque driver will struggle or thrive alongside the seven-time world champion. As for Mattia Binotto, well, his relationship with the fans wasn’t the best after the mistakes made in 2022. It only took a few months for Frederic Vasseur to become the idol of the Ferrari faithful.
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