Binotto Hamilton-Leclerc Pairing Would Never Have Happened at Ferrari

Binotto: Ferrari’s Hamilton-Leclerc Duo Not in My Playbook

13/10/2024

Mattia Binotto believes Ferrari’s approach remains unchanged under Vasseur, and questions the signing of Hamilton alongside Leclerc.

Mattia Binotto believes that his successor at Ferrari, Frédéric Vasseur, has “not revolutionised” the way the Scuderia operates.

The current Chief Operating Officer and Technical Director of Sauber/Audi F1 also stated that he wouldn’t have signed Lewis Hamilton for Ferrari, although the Italian is pleased to see his former team doing well.

“I don’t think much has changed since I left. I’d prefer to speak from what I’ve observed at Ferrari. Fred has managed to maintain continuity within the project. He hasn’t revolutionised an already structured and functional organisation, though, of course, he has made his own decisions.”

“If Ferrari wins, I’m happy because I know the team and the immense effort it took to bring it to a certain level.”

A key decision made by Vasseur was to sign Lewis Hamilton, but Binotto doesn’t think it was the right one.

“No,” was the Italian’s unequivocal response. “But he made a good move going to Ferrari; it was a sound decision.”

“During my time, Ferrari had its eyes set on other drivers. And if Leclerc is the lead driver, then he should be the one we focus on, guiding him towards his goal of becoming world champion.”

In other words, Binotto wasn’t in favour of having two equally strong number one drivers, a strategy Ferrari has finally embraced under Vasseur after many decades.

Binotto: Hamilton-Leclerc Pairing Would Never Have Happened at Ferrari
Binotto: Hamilton-Leclerc Pairing Would Never Have Happened at Ferrari

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#
Driver
Points
1
Driver Flag
Max Verstappen
Red Bull
0
2
Driver Flag
Lando Norris
McLaren
0
3
Driver Flag
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
0
4
Driver Flag
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
0
5
Driver Flag
Carlos Sainz
Williams
0
6
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George Russell
Mercedes
0
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Norris & Piastri
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6
Alpine
Gasly & Doohan
0
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