Chennai: Formula One team Ferrari, in a bid to improve their competitiveness in the circuit having lost out to Mercedes in the turbo-hybrid era, has replaced its team boss Maurizio Arrivabene with Mattia Binnoto.
Arrivabene who was at the helm of affairs in Ferrari for the last four years can be credited for improving the team to the level of competing with the Mercedes for the last two years running, ever since their turbulent 2014 campaign, where they finished fourth in the driver’s standings when Stefano Domenicali and Marco Mattiacci each had spells in charge.
After the decision, Ferrari’s statement read, “The decision was taken together with the company’s top management after lengthy discussions related to Maurizio’s long-term personal interests as well as those of the team itself. Ferrari would like to thank Maurizio for his valuable contribution to the team’s increasing competitiveness over the past few years and wish him the best for his future endeavours. With immediate effect, Mattia Binotto will take over as Scuderia Ferrari’s team principal. All technical areas will continue to report directly to Mattia.”
Arrivabene was appointed to the top-post by former president Sergio Marchionne, however, throughout his tenure, Arrivabene has been criticised as a puppet to Marchionne, with the real power instead resting with him, but died from complications during surgery for cancer last July.
Also, the ties between Arrivabene was seen as someone slowly building a wall around him and the team. His chief engineer is touted to have become rife after the title contention slipped out of their hands for the second year running. It is also believed that Marchionne too, before his death wanted to change the manager of the team. But his untimely death last July led to a prolonged stay for Arrivabene.
Despite all said and done, Ferrari’s failure last season has to be attributed to the drivers, losing out on key opportunities. Despite his frailties in leading the team, Arrivabene has brought the competitiveness to the team and that was visible in the last two seasons where they had a close battle with Mercedes.
Who is Mattia Binotto?
Binotto has been associated with Ferrari, over the past two-and-a-half decades. He joined the team as a engine engineer in 1995 and became a chief engineer later. He was widely appreciated for improving the team’s engine after he became the team’s technical director. His challenge now is to take Ferrari to the top and become the first team principal in a decade to bring the drivers’ world championship back to Maranello.
What next?
Ferrari will first look to end its 10-year title drought and will vie for a fresh beginning this year. With a world-class driver, racing one of its cars, the tea has brought in an exciting 21-year old Charles Leclerc as the second driver, who is replacing talisman, Kimi Raikkonen.
With a new manager at the helm of affairs, Ferrari is all expected to once again give a tough fight to Mercedes and get their hands on winning the trophy in the constructor’s and racer’s category.