FERRARI, F1 NEEDS YOU!
WE are always told from a young age not to make judgements on appearance alone. However…
Take a quick look at Ferrari’s new man in charge, and spend just a few moments in his company, and the extent of the change at the top of the famous Formula 1 team snaps into focus. The scowl has given way to a smile. The slicked-back hair replaced by a curly mess. Quiet self-deprecation reigns where condescension once held sway.
The good news for Ferrari, its legion of fans and Formula 1 is that Mattia Binotto’s ascension to the team principal role in place of Maurizio Arrivabene represents more than just the latest rotation of the revolving door. There is substance beneath the positive change on the surface.
This change has been sorely needed. For the past two seasons the brains at Maranello have produced a car capable of beating Mercedes, yet the silver cars remain the undefeated champions of the V6 turbo-hybrid era. Lewis Hamilton’s charge to five world titles has been an undeniably brilliant sporting achievement, but five consecutive Mercedes title doubles is not a particularly sexy sell for F1. Ferrari desperately needs to end its title drought. Formula 1 probably needs it just as much.
Prior to Mercedes’ domination, F1 suffered at the hands of the all-conquering Red Bull-Sebastian Vettel partnership. While Red Bull’s prowess at designing a top-drawer chassis remains sharp, it is rebuilding with its new engine partner Honda after finally giving up on Renault. As McLaren has slumped deep into midfield, and is without a win
