Ex-Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger believes Ferrari have gotten rid of the “wrong people”, following their recent leadership change.
Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur replaced Mattia Binotto at the Maranello-based team, with several employees having since followed the Italian out of the exit door.
It’s believed that Binotto was given a choice to either resign or face the sack at the conclusion of the 2022 season, ahead of Vasseur leaving Alfa Romeo for Ferrari.
Following Ferrari’s miserable start to 2023, Berger is convinced that the Italians removed the “wrong people” when Binotto departed; however, he failed to comment on who should’ve actually been fired instead.
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“They lost their nerve and knocked out the wrong people,” he said.
Ferrari have lost former head of vehicle concept David Sanchez to McLaren and race director Laurent Mekies to AlphaTauri, two very high-profile figures.
The famous side currently sit fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, whilst they have just two podiums to reflect on from the opening 10 races.
Their season so far was highlighted last weekend at the British Grand Prix, where Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished ninth and tenth, despite having started the race in fourth and fifth.
Ferrari certainly aren’t going to be claiming either title this season, with Vasseur seemingly starting to grow frustrated at how the team have worked so far under his leadership.
Prior to Vasseur being awarded Binotto’s job last December, Berger was actually linked to the Ferrari job.
The Austrian admits he received “several requests” in recent months, whilst failing to confirm whether the Ferrari team principal gig was one of them.
Berger shared that the jobs he was offered didn’t work for his lifestyle, as he was against rearranging how he does things.
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“There were several requests, all of them were super interesting, but they didn’t fit into my life planning,” the Austrian told Speedweek in January.
“There were considerations, then I would have had to arrange my life differently again.
“The young children play an important role. I want to take my six-year-old son to his first kart races and my nine-year-old daughter to go horse riding. I want to have more time for them.”