Charles Leclerc has found himself involved in the controversial departure of Mattia Binotto from Ferrari, as reports have claimed that it was the Monegasque’s breakdown in relationship with his boss that played a major part in his resignation.
The pair were reportedly not even on speaking terms by the time Formula 1 travelled to Abu Dhabi, as the Ferrari driver had grown frustrated with his team’s poor decision making over the course of the season, which cost him a shot at the title.
Strategy errors from Binotto and his team played a key part in Ferrari’s shortcomings in 2022, leading the Swiss to resign from his role with the team only days after the Scuderia publicly showed their support for their team principal.
While it is yet to be known who will replace Binotto in the Ferrari hotseat, Leclerc does not anticipate any complications in the transition period to spill over onto the track.
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“Well, to be honest, I don’t know because from my own experience, I’ve never had a team principal change during when I was racing for the same team,” explained the 25-year-old.
“It will probably require a little bit of time for the team principal to get at ease with the system and with Ferrari because it’s obviously a huge team.
“But I believe that if it’s done the right way, I don’t think we’ll suffer any of it on the track, so I’m pretty sure it will be a smooth transition.”
Current Alfa Romeo team principal Fred Vasseur has been heavily linked to the vacancy at Ferrari, as the German has worked with Leclerc previously during the Monegasques early F1 days with Sauber.
While nothing has been announced yet with regards to Ferrari’s replacement, Leclerc has expressed his confidence in his team making the right decision.
“I have full trust in Benedetto [Vigna] and John [Elkann] to take the right decision,” he said.
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“But I am sure that 2023 will be another step forward and hopefully get close to the goal that we all want in the team, which is to be a world champion.”
Binotto claimed that Ferrari switched their focus to planning for 2023 some time ago, so Leclerc will be hoping their decision pays dividends and their car can compete with Red Bull and Ferrari next season.
With Binotto set to depart the team at the end of the calendar year, Ferrari are running out of time to replace the Swiss, unless they want to enter 2023 without a team principal.