Mattia Binotto, former Ferrari team boss, revealed that he would not have signed seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton if he were still in charge at Maranello.
Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Binotto - now Audi's F1 boss - was direct when asked about the recent decision to bring Hamilton to Ferrari. "No," he said bluntly. "But he did well to accept the offer, and I agree with his decision."
As is well known, Ferrari's current boss, Frederic Vasseur, most certainly made the choice to sign Hamilton for 2025 and beyond. But while Binotto would have taken a different route, another former Ferrari boss, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, supports Vasseur's decision. "For the Ferrari fan, it is of course an extraordinary situation because Lewis is someone who will bring everything together," Domenicali said at Il Festival dello Sport.
Domenicali emphasized that harmony between Hamilton and Ferrari's existing star Charles Leclerc will be key. "There will have to be a respectful relationship with Charles Leclerc, of course," Domenicali warned. "The rules within the team have to be clear and the management must not mince their words about that."
As for Binotto, Leclerc's position at Ferrari was the primary reason he would have overlooked Hamilton. "If Leclerc is the talent, then in my opinion he should be the driver that is supported to achieve the goal and take the credit," said Binotto.
Reflecting on his time at Ferrari, Binotto noted that Vasseur has continued his own groundwork at Maranello without major changes. "Fred has been able to continue the project under the sign of continuity," he said. "He has not revolutionised a structured and functional organisation."
While he no longer leads the team, Binotto takes pride in Ferrari's progress. "If Ferrari wins, I am happy because I know the team and I know how much effort has been invested in bringing it to a certain level, and I was involved in that," he added.
