Christian Horner has shared his thoughts on Mattia Binotto’s Ferrari exit.
The Red Bull team principal defeated his counterpart this season, but they should have been pushed much harder by ‘The Prancing Horse.’ After capturing two of the first three races in 2022, a series of poor calls and strategies, driver errors and issues with their cars saw any Ferrari title challenge go up in smoke rather swiftly.
It seemed inevitable that at least one significant member of the team would suffer some consequences for the team’s failure, and it ultimately proved to be Binotto himself. Asked by Motorsport.com at the FIA Gala Awards in Italy if he was surprised by the events at Ferrari, Horner said: “I think, in all fairness to Mattia, he did a very good job in producing a very competitive car and engine for Ferrari, certainly this year. Obviously, they had their moments operationally.
“He committed a long period of his career and life to Ferrari, and I'm sure it must be very difficult for him to leave that team after all of that time. So, of course, a huge pressure in that team, because it's a national team effectively, as well as an OEM team.
"And I think that it will now be the sixth team principal that I will sit across the table from, since I've been at Red Bull and, obviously, you know, a lot of pressure on that job.”
Binotto, who worked with Ferrari for 28 years, offered his resignation after feeling he did not have the full support of the Italian manufacturer’s senior management team. Ferrari accepted his decision to quit and is currently finalising a replacement, with Alfa Romeo team boss Frederic Vasseur favourite to take the job.
His future there is uncertain with Sauber set to link up with German manufacturer Audi in the coming years. Binotto, who will officially leave his role on December 31, released a statement which read: “With the regret that this entails, I have decided to conclude my collaboration with Ferrari.
“I am leaving a company that I love, which I have been part of for 28 years, with the serenity that comes from the conviction that I have made every effort to achieve the objectives set," Binotto said. "I leave a united and growing team. A strong team, ready, I’m sure, to achieve the highest goals, to which I wish all the best for the future. I think it is right to take this step at this time as hard as this decision has been for me.
“I would like to thank all the people at the Gestione Sportiva who have shared this journey with me, made up of difficulties but also of great satisfaction.” According to their former boss Stefano Domenicali, Binotto walked away from the Italian Giants because he realised finishing second this year was "not enough" given the season promised so much.
"When you are second with Ferrari, it is something that is not enough," the Italian told Sky Sports News , at the launch of new F1 Arcade in central London. "I hope that Ferrari find the right solution to stay on track because they did a big recovery from where they were two years ago," he added.
"We need Ferrari to be competitive and we need to have a good team, strong team, strong drivers to fight against the others so that is really the wish I am hoping for. The aim and the hope is to have the last race with the right fight, the right sporting fight and all the provisos are there."
