Current FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem was asked about the recent changes at the top of the Scuderia Ferrari Racing Department and confirmed that he was supportive of the call made by Mattia Binotto leave the Italian side and make way for a new team team principal in Maranello. At the same the, the president of the governing body and feels the Italian side has a good chance of fighting for race wins in the next season.
Ending a career that almost lasted for 30 years in Maranello, ex-Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto left Scuderia Ferrari after the previous Formula One championship, due to a season maked by a disappointing outcome due to power unit reliability issues, poor strategy decisions and operational mistakes that prevented the Italian side from challenging Red Bull for the title.
The official version is that Mattia Binotto decided to hand in his resignation at the end of the 2022 season, but if that was indeed his decision or rather a move to avoid being fired, it is not clear.
The one who replaces Mattia Binotto is Frenchman Frederic Vasseur, a strong, no-nonsense personality inside the Formula 1 paddock who has led Alfa Romeo Sauber during the last six years.
In a recent interview which was given to several news media outlets at the Dakar Rally, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem pointed out that regardless of who made the hard decision in the managerial merry-go-round, the right call was made:
“It was a performance-based choice, I think,” Mohammed Ben Sulayem explained, as reported by Motorsport-Total. “I think they did the right thing.” – he added.
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During the Ferrari periods of domination in the 2000s, the Maranello team was led by a diverse infrastructure with key figures such as Jean Todt, Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne in the most important roles and were highly successful in bringing world championships to the Maranello trophy room.
During the years, the Scuderia have shiftted their approach and became a more Italian culture. This was seen as a negative factor by some and was pointed out as a key reason for Ferrari not winning a title since 2008, when Felipe Massa and Kimi Räikkönen brought the Constructors championship in Maranello.
However, a lack of diversity should not be seen as an issue. This is the view of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who replaced former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt in the role of FIA president.
He explained: “When Ferrari won, they had a lot of diversity. [But] it’s not about whether Italians are better than French or Germans. It’s about finding the right person. Even if all the teams have the same engine and the same team boss, only one can still win in the end. Whether they have the right ingredients, nobody knows except Ferrari.” – the FIA president continued.
“[But] winning and winning a World Championship is nothing new for Ferrari either. It’s just a matter of time before they win again.”
Scuderia Ferrari started the previous season extremely strong, with Charles Leclerc securing two race victories from the first three rounds of 2022, but the Italian side was not able to build on the momentum and gradually lost ground to Red Bull. In 2023 the Maranello team is expected to come back stronger, but the competition will be even bigger with a a resurgent Mercedes expected to also challenge at the top. The German side, who has dominated the hybrid era, look confident of overcoming the big struggles that have affected their W13 car last season and seem ready to take the fight to Ferrari and Red Bull in 2023.
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