Officially, Ferrari is still looking for a successor to ex-team boss Mattia Binotto in Formula 1. Recently, the Scuderia had to accept several rejections, but now a new strong man seems to have been found.
As “Sport1” reports, Ferrari has chosen Frédéric Vasseur to succeed Mattio Binotto. The 54-year-old is currently still the team boss at Formula 1 competitor Alfa Romeo, where the Frenchman started working in mid-2017. The announcement of the change to Scuderia should take place later this year.
At Alfa Romeo, Vasseur would probably have been replaced anyway from 2026, when Audi joined the former Sauber team. The German automobile manufacturer wants to rely on its own resources. At Ferrari, on the other hand, he is now reportedly given a chance that also involves some risk. Because the Italians are expecting the next World Cup title. To do this, however, the 54-year-old motorsport manager must first correct the numerous mistakes that Ferrari made last season.
As “Sport1” continues, Vasseur could face a delicate mission because Nicholas Todt – the manager of Ferrari star Charles Leclerc – is in a clinch with the French due to various events in the past. Either way, should the rumors prove true, Ferrari would finally have found a new strategic leader in Vasseur.
Formula 1: Ferrari on a long search
The TV station had previously reported that Andreas Seidl had rejected the position at Ferrari. The German motorsport engineer works in Formula 1 as McLaren’s team manager. The 46-year-old does not seem to be planning a move to the competition.
Seidl wasn’t the only candidate who wasn’t drawn to Ferrari. Christian Horner recently emphasized his connection to Red Bull and made it clear that the Scuderia is not an option for him either.
According to the portal “F1 Insider” Franz Tost from Alpha Tauri also canceled the traditional Italian racing team.
In addition to the aforementioned Frédéric Vasseur, Monisha Kaltenborn was another possible Binotto successor.
Kaltenborn could hardly have calculated any chances anyway. As “F1-Insider” claims to have learned, those responsible in Maranello “were not yet ready to entrust the ‘sacred cow’ of the sports car brand to a woman”. Instead, Vasseur should now judge it.
Ferrari is thirsting for a title in Formula 1
Ferrari and Binotto split after the Formula 1 season finale. Overall, the 53-year-old worked in various functions at Scuderia for over 28 years. Binotto has held the post of team boss since 2019. But Ferrari was not able to win the long-awaited world title in Formula 1 during this time.
In 2022, the Italian team was able to improve compared to the previous year, but several tactical mistakes deprived Ferrari of a better yield. In the end, the racing team secured second place behind Red Bull in the constructors’ championship. Leclerc became vice world champion behind Max Verstappen.