Journalist Leo Turrini believes new Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur “has the duty” to run the Maranello-based side his way, with the journalist claiming that the former Alfa Romeo boss is “dismantling Binotto’s team”.
Former team principal Mattia Binotto led the Scuderia through a mixed period whilst boss, with the Italian having run the team whilst they fell into the midfield.
Binotto, though, was also responsible for getting Ferrari back to the front last season: alas, falling at the final hurdle once again.
Title glory has eluded Ferrari since 2008, with the Italians having developed a tendency to be their own worst enemy.
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2022 was proof of that, with the team having had the pace and the drivers to win the title, just not the reliability or strategic planning to deliver it.
Ferrari were ridiculed by strategic errors and reliability issues last season, ultimately resulting in Binotto’s departure from the team.
It’s widely believed that Binotto was given a choice at the end of last season by Ferrari’s hierarchy, resign peacefully, or face a public sacking.
Vasseur, of course, has been brought in to get Ferrari back to their glory days, something which has seen several senior members of the team resign.
Head of vehicle concept David Sanchez is the most recent, according to The Race, with Sanchez having been a key part of Binotto’s set-up.
Formu1a.uni believe that Sanchez is reportedly returning to McLaren after a period of gardening leave, with Turrini expecting him to not be the last member of the “Binotto era” to depart Maranello.
“Fred Vasseur, in agreement with the very powerful ad Vigna, even has the duty to build a team in his image and likeness,” Turrini said in his blog.
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“Fred is dismantling Binotto’s team. For different reasons and leaving different roles, Rosato, Giacobazzi, Sanchez have already left… I very much doubt that other key figures of the Binotto era will remain where they are for a long time.”
Despite Vasseur’s arrival and seemingly immediate changes, Ferrari still endured a disappointing season-opener in Bahrain last weekend, with Charles Leclerc having retired due to yet another power unit failure.
Vasseur will be under pressure already to ensure that 2023 isn’t a replica of 2022, with Ferrari not being in a position to endure another season full of failures.