Mattia Binotto was Ferrari crew principal earlier than Frederic Vasseur and beforehand spent greater than 20 years serving the long-lasting Italian F1 crew, however is now main the Audi mission
A former Ferrari chief has informed the Italian crew that they signed Lewis Hamilton “when he was already on the finish of his profession”. Mattia Binotto hopes to see his former outfit succeed however recommended he did not agree with the choice to signal Hamilton as a 40-year-old.
It has been a troublesome season to date for the Brit, regardless of the early excessive of a maiden Ferrari victory within the Chinese language Grand Prix Dash race. He later added a podium within the second Dash of the 12 months in Miami, however his Grand Prix outcomes have been underwhelming.
His greatest Sunday end result to date in 2025 was fourth within the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, an outstanding comeback drive which delighted the Tifosi gathered at Imola. Nevertheless it has been troublesome aside from that and, after ending sixth in Barcelona final day out, the seven-time F1 champion mentioned it was one of many worst races he had skilled.
Hamilton additionally mentioned the issue is “in all probability simply me”, hinting that he would possibly himself be worrying about whether or not he stays on the prime of his recreation. He turned 40 in January and shall be practically 42 by the tip of the 2026 marketing campaign, for which he’s already contracted.
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And former Ferrari crew principal Binotto mentioned he thinks the Brit’s age is an issue. “Hamilton is of a sure age. Ferrari took him when he was already on the finish of his profession. The best would have been to have him just a few years earlier,” he informed Italian publication Automoto.
Binotto was axed by Ferari on the finish of the 2022 season after 4 years as crew principal. It dropped at an finish practically 30 years of his service to the Maranello squad, having joined in 1995 as an engineer and labored his approach up the ranks.
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In August final 12 months, it was introduced that he had joined the Audi F1 mission as chief technical officer at Sauber. He then briefly served as interim crew principal earlier this 12 months till Jonathan Wheatley began work on April 1, and is now the official head of the entire mission, main the Audi outfit alongside Wheatley.
Binotto nonetheless desires to see his former employer do properly as each an ex-employee and an Italian F1 fan. And, regardless of his apparent misgivings about Hamilton, the 55-year-old mentioned he nonetheless has religion that the Scuderia can get again on observe.
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He mentioned: “From the skin, maybe one should not even decide. It is clear that the efficiency on the observe and the outcomes aren’t good in the mean time.
“Nevertheless, I do know each single member of that crew very properly and I do know that they’re good, sturdy and succesful. They may be capable of enhance the automobile and do properly sooner or later and I imagine that Ferrari can get some satisfaction this 12 months.”
