Former Formula 1 driver Marc Surer has offered his insights into the ongoing challenges faced by Ferrari’s F1 team, hinting that the departure of Mattia Binotto, their former team principal, might be casting a shadow over their struggles with the SF-23 car’s performance.
Binotto’s tenure as team principal concluded at the close of the 2022 season, marked by a string of mishaps, including driver errors, car reliability issues, and costly tactical misjudgements.
Despite leaving his role, Binotto has yet to secure a new position in the F1 world.
His exit paved the way for Fred Vasseur, the former Alfa Romeo team principal, to step in and attempt to rejuvenate Ferrari’s diminishing competitive fortunes.
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Notwithstanding promising showings from drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, Ferrari’s performance woes have persisted, much to the consternation of both fans and experts.
Surer, who competed for Brabham in 1985, voiced his perspective on the transition and its ramifications.
Surer acknowledged the suitability of Vasseur for the role, noting, “I think Vasseur is certainly the right person for the job, he has the nerves.”
However, he also raised a point of concern regarding the challenges Vasseur might face in attracting new talent to Ferrari due to the unique circumstances surrounding Italy as a destination for motorsport professionals.
Highlighting the competitive allure of England, Surer stated, “But, of course, if he needs to reinforce the team now, he has a problem because hardly anyone wants to move to Italy. I mean, in England, there are so many opportunities.”
He pondered the circumstances under which individuals with families would consider relocating to Italy for the job, emphasising that the motivation would need to be exceptionally strong.
Surer also mused on the potential scenario of a group transition, similar to what occurred with Michael Schumacher’s arrival at Ferrari in the past.
However, he expressed uncertainty regarding the presence of a driver capable of catalysing such a significant shift within the team.
Surer posited that Vasseur’s efforts might ultimately steer Ferrari in the right direction but cautioned that the process could be prolonged, requiring time for new personnel to make a substantial impact.
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Surer’s observations extended to the curiosities surrounding Ferrari’s performance struggles.
He noted, “But it surprises me that the people who were there last year and built the superb car are no longer able to do it.”
Implicitly questioning whether Binotto’s absence has contributed to the difficulties, Surer prompted speculation about whether the decision to part ways with the former team principal could be impacting the team’s current challenges.