Former Ferrari boss Binotto reveals whether he would have signed Hamilton

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Mattia Binotto had Lewis Hamilton not signed at Ferrari
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  • Nicole Mulder

Mattia Binotto believes his successor, Frederic Vasseur has "not revolutionised" the way Ferrari work. The current Sauber COO and CTO also says he would not have signed Lewis Hamilton to the Scuderia, but the Scuderia's former team principal is happy to see that the Italians are doing well.

Binotto: 'Vasseur has not revolutionised Ferrari'

According to Binotto, he does not believe many things have changed at his former team since he left. "I would rather say what I have seen in Ferrari. Fred has been able to continue the project through continuity. He has not revolutionised a structured and functional organisation, although of course he has also made his own choices. If Ferrari wins, I am happy because I know the team and how much effort it has taken to bring it to a certain level," the Italian told Corriere della Sera.

'I wouldn't have chosen Hamilton as Ferrari team boss'

A key decision Vasseur made was to sign Lewis Hamilton to the team, however, he does not believe that was the right call. "No," was the Italian's clear answer. "But he did well to go to Ferrari, he made a good decision," he added about the Mercedes driver's upcoming switch.

The 54-year-old Italian has a clear reason why he would not have signed the seven-time world chapion. "Ferrari had set its sights on other drivers. And if Leclerc is the star driver, then he is the one we should somehow guide to his goal," Binotto said.

Binotto left Ferrari after the 2022 Formula One season. Under the Italian, the team were heavily criticised, even as only they could challenge Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing at the start of the season with Charles Leclerc. However, the strategic decision went wrong on multiple occasions and at the end of that season, the Italian was replaced by at the time Sauber team principal Vasseur.

This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi


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