Photograph sparks rumour that Mattia Binotto will return to Ferrari

Ferrari will be led by Fred Vasseur this season following the resignation of Mattia Binotto.

The performances on and off the racetrack from Ferrari were simply unacceptable last season, with both championships slipping out of their grasp despite an impressive start to 2022.

For a large part of the season, Ferrari boasted the fastest car on the grid however, strategic blunders from team principal Mattia Binotto and his team combined with an unreliable power unit cost the team a shot and championship glory.

Bizarre decision-making cost Charles Leclerc a shot at victory in Monaco and Silverstone, leading the Monegasque driver to reportedly not even be on speaking terms with his boss by the time F1 travelled to Abu Dhabi.

All of this combined meant that Mattia Binotto was under extreme pressure to keep his job and after weeks of rumours and various statements, the Swiss officially resigned as team principal of Ferrari.

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The Scuderia were quick to appoint his successor, opting to put their faith in Alfa Romeo’s Fred Vasseur to take the team forward in 2023 and beyond.

A photograph of Binotto and Vasseur speaking together at Ferrari’s factory in Maranello this week has recently emerged, with Binotto’s presence confusing some fans.

The Swiss left Ferrari on good terms and reportedly has a good relationship with Vasseur, meaning that he could simply be visiting the factory to say some belated goodbyes.

Vasseur has spoken very highly of the man which he has replaced at Ferrari, telling the media that Binotto stayed on at Ferrari to make the transition as smooth as possible.

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The conversation taking place in the photograph appears to be a casual one, reinforcing suggestions that Vasseur and Binotto maintain a friendly relationship despite the awkward scenario of one replacing the other at Ferrari.

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It is currently unknown what Binotto plans to do following his departure from Ferrari, with roles at multiple teams being suggested for the Swiss.

Some have suggested that the 53-year-old would be a good option for Audi, who will at some point be looking to appoint a team principal to lead them when they enter F1 in 2026.

Sky Sports pundit Karun Chandhok has suggested that Binotto should return to Ferrari to work under Vasseur, with his knowledge and engineering past potentially being helpful for the team.