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Paris (AFP) – Ferrari Formula One team principal Mattia Binotto has resigned, the Italian team announced Tuesday.
“Ferrari announces that it has accepted the resignation of Mattia Binotto, who will step down on December 31 as team principal,” a statement read.
The 53-year-old Italian, who has assumed duties since the 2019 season, is paying the price for repeated strategic mistakes and failure to compete seriously for the title, despite the tremendous development of the car this year.
Rumors abounded about the future of Binotto, who has worked with the team for nearly three decades, ahead of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earlier this month, after the team failed to compete with Red Bull after a promising start to the year.
“With regret, I have decided to end my collaboration with Ferrari,” the Swiss-born Binotto said in a statement. “I am leaving the company that I love and of which I have been a part for 28 years, with the clarity of mind that comes from the conviction that I have done my best to achieve the goals set.”
He continued, “I leave a united and growing team. A strong team that is ready to achieve the highest goals, and I wish them all the best for the future.”
“I would like to thank Mattia for his many contributions over his 28 years with Ferrari and especially for leading the team to a position of competitiveness over the past year,” said Benedetto Vigna, Group CEO of Ferrari.
Ferrari started this season with two victories in the first three races, but after that it was unable to compete with Red Bull and its Dutch driver, Max Verstappen, who won his second title in a row.
The team achieved two more wins in July, but failed in the last 11 races.
Numerous mistakes in the garage and strategy limited the possibility of first driver Charles Leclerc from Monaco to stay close to Verstappen, and finished runner-up, 146 points away from the Dutchman.
Ferrari finished second in the constructors’ standings, 205 points ahead of Red Bull.
Finn Kimi Raikkonen was the last to win the Formula One World Championship with Ferrari in 2007, while the last manufacturers’ title dates back to 2008.
© 2022 AFP