Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz seemingly approves of Ferrari’s decision to sign Alfa Romeo team principal Frederic Vasseur, following the resignation of Mattia Binotto.
It was speculated at the season finale that Binotto was going to face the sack at the close of the season; however, the Italian opted to resign himself instead.
It comes as a result of a lack of trust between Binotto and Ferrari chairman John Elkann, who is rarely seen in the F1 paddock.
Ferrari have endured a challenging year, one that was overshadowed by endless strategic errors.
READ: Fernando Alonso reveals why he’s disappointed with Formula 1
Given that the team had a strong car in 2022, Binotto was constantly questioned by the media if a change in strategic personnel was needed, something he always denied.
It appears, though, that Binotto feels like it’s himself who needs to be changed, marking the end of a four-year spell as the side’s team principal.
As well as that, it marks the end of a 28-year relationship, with Binotto having originally joined Ferrari in 1995 as an intern.
Vasseur was always the favourite to replace Binotto, with the Frenchman not only speaking Italian but also due to him having worked with Charles Leclerc before.
Kravitz is confident that the Maranello-based outfit have a “good replacement” for Binotto, with Vasseur being a “good appointment”.
“They’ve got a good replacement for Mattia Binotto,” Kravitz said.
“He’s a winner in the lower Formula, not yet in F1, but with his own team in F2 and F3, Vasseur has won races and championships.
“He speaks Italian, he’s been with Alfa Romeo-Sauber of course, a Swiss team with Italian backing, so he speaks the language. And crucially he knows and has a good working relationship with Ferrari’s main championship challenger and star, Charles Leclerc.
“They worked together at Sauber before, so I think it’s a good solution, a good appointment for Ferrari with Vasseur coming in for Binotto.”
Remarkably, Vasseur is Ferrari’s fourth team principal since 2014, with the Italians seemingly against giving someone time to “get on with it”.
Many have actually criticised Ferrari for letting Binotto go, with the team having returned to the front through his leadership.
Kravitz is now just hoping that Vasseur is given the time he needs to implement his style, rather than the Italians continuing with the “team boss merry-go-round”.
“The only thing that they have left really is to hope that Frederic Vasseur is left to get on with it,” added Kravitz.
READ: Ex-F1 champion on Mercedes dominance: ‘People would have ganged up’
“That’s the big question, as to whether the team boss merry-go-round that we have seen at Ferrari in recent years will continue.
“After all, Vasseur is the fourth Ferrari team boss since Stefano Domenicali’s departure in 2014, and that is quite a lot.
“Charles Leclerc has talked about how he has a good relationship with Vasseur, and I don’t think he’s throwing any doubt over his previous relationship with Binotto, but to have someone with whom he’s worked and raced together before can only be a good thing.”