With his resignation from Ferrari having been announced to the world, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem thanked Mattia Binotto “for his contribution as the F1 Commission’s delegate” at Wednesday’s meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Bologna.
Attending the meeting is believed to have been one of Binotto’s final jobs, before departing the Maranello-based team at the end of the month after 28 years together.
Binotto will, of course, become a free agent, with many predicting where the Italian might crop up in Formula 1.
Whilst his skills as a team principal have been questioned over the last four years, Binotto was hailed before that as an incredible technical director.
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Many expect him to return to this role with another side, with Audi reportedly “in talks” with the Italian.
Mercedes were also supposedly linked to Binotto; however, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has ruled this out.
“No, I think there was too much porcelain broken between us the last two years that this would be possible,” Wolff told the Beyond The Grid podcast.
“With the other teams, I can’t say. But certainly Mattia understands Formula 1 inside out so maybe he finds a role in another team.”
Whilst on the podcast Wolff also spoke once again about Mick Schumacher, who has been heavily linked to a move to the Germans.
Schumacher is, of course, currently without a job for 2023, after being axed by Haas.
Wolff has made it no secret that he wants to sign Schumacher as their newest reserve driver, a role they do need to fill following the departures of Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne.
The Austrian explained that he believes the 23-year-old “deserves a chance” somewhere, with Mercedes set to be the German’s home for 2023 at least.
“I really like Mick and I like the family, how they raised their children with this incredibly famous name,” he said.
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“I think he deserves a chance.
“Things can go against you in your early years in Formula 1, and then he was under pressure to deliver which doesn’t help. Formula 1 is brutal,” Wolff added.
“It can be good for him to maybe be out for a year as a third driver, similar to Daniel (Ricciardo) to put himself in a better position and hopefully find a place again.”