There are now only a few days left before the definitive separation between Mattia Binotto and Ferrari. On December 31st, the team principal who has captained the red in the last four seasons, will officially leave his post, after the resignation of last November 29th. Resignation announced, premeditated, perhaps necessary given the internal splits which emerged from the testimonies of those who keep one ear outside and one inside in Maranello, but which have left Ferrari in an awkward position, forced to start a new cycle for the umpteenth time.
Binotto's farewell has divided public opinion in two currents, between who didn't think it was a smart move letting go of a man of Binotto's skills and knowledge, especially after a season that ended with two silver medals; And who, on the other hand, considered the separation necessary, given the too many errors. The only point in common that binds the two factions is that Ferrari, after this choice will be faced with yet another test of maturity in 2023. just about this topic, the hottest since the end of the world, he also exposed himself Rene Arnoux, a French driver who joined Ferrari in the 1983-1985 seasons, with a palmares of 7 victories out of 149 Grand Prix races and an innate talent for quick laps, as evidenced by the 18 pole positions conquered.
Arnoux and Ferrari, a difficult but profound relationship
It was a difficult separation between Arnoux and Ferrari. Getting to work for the Maranello team is a privilege for everyone, for the drivers it represents something special. Even now when we talk about the Reds or the battle with Gilles Villeneuve, something lights up in René's eyes. As often happens when entering the gates of Maranello there were great expectations for his arrival, on both sides, but already in his second year, in which he conquered only 4 podiums and sixth place in the standings, his story with the prestigious brand began its inexorable descent.
The pressure of the media, of the fans, particularly demanding, led him to self-destruction and "ask to be released from his current commitments ” as stated in the Ferrari press release which arrived at the beginning of the 1985 season, and which communicated Arnoux's definitive farewell. A wound perhaps still open, a difficult love, but to which he is still particularly attached, led him to harsh, frank statements on the work of Mattia Binotto, on the future of the Reds and on the nuanced iris, once again for too many errors, very often unrecognized. Errors that he, however, had taken charge of in the past.
Arnoux: "I was sad to see a Ferrari that let the championship slip away"
Ferrari came from a difficult two-year period. It was particularly difficult for everyone to see the downward spiral of this season which began with a brace and two victories in the first 3 races. The beast, the F1-75, didn't stay in the lead for long, being recovered primarily by the Red Bull, unstoppable since returning from the summer break, and also from Mercedes, initially in difficulty, came to victory. It is not easy to establish which of the elements between reliability, strategy errors, pilot errors, development, anti-porpoising directive, have compromised the championship. Everyone has a weight, and some are to blame for the team principal, Mattia Binotto.
"I was sad to see a competitive Ferrari let the championship slip away" the Frenchman told Gazzetta dello Sport. “It's true that there was no reliability, but we lost some GPs as if we had done it on purpose. The mistakes he made are unforgivable. I've never been on Binotto's side. Someone who says “next year will be better” doesn't deserve that place. I would have put him out already several years ago. Behavior like his is intolerable when you're at the helm of the best team in the world. You may or may not like Jean Todt, but he would never have said: “It will be better next year”. He won, and when he won he thought about the following year. But there are few Todt and Ron Dennis."
Still a little skeptical about Vasseur
It will be up to Frederic Vasseur take the lead by assuming the role by Ferrari Team Principals. Even his arrival obviously divided public opinion. There are those who don't think he's up to par, coming from a medium-low level team like Alfa Romeo, and those who instead believe that he has all the cards on the table to best cover the role that has been assigned to him. Arnoux admits that he knows him little but is skeptical of the contribution he will be able to make, especially in terms of technology and strategy.
In fact, with Binotto's farewell, Ferrari has also lost an excellent technician, and doubts still remain as to who will be able to fill the role of Technical Director from January onwards. “Vasseur? I know him little – concluded Arnoux – we have seen the results he has achieved with a mid-range team like the alpha. But managing Alfa and managing Ferrari are very different things. He has the necessary expertise, and I hope he can pull the team together in terms of technology and strategy. Without which you can't win the World Cup".
Source statements: FormulaPassion, Journal of Sport
