Official: Arrivabene is out of Ferrari, Binotto takes command in 2019

Scuderia Ferrari confirmed a change in leadership ahead of the 2019 Formula 1 season. Maurizio Arrivabene left the team after four years as team principal, with Mattia Binotto taking over the position with immediate effect.

Ferrari said the decision followed lengthy discussions between Arrivabene and the company’s senior management. The team thanked him for his commitment and his contribution to Ferrari’s improved competitiveness during his tenure.

Mattia Binotto takes charge

Binotto moved into the team principal role after serving as Ferrari’s technical director. All of the team’s technical departments would continue reporting directly to him, giving the engineer responsibility for both Ferrari’s sporting leadership and technical organization.

Binotto had spent more than two decades working within Ferrari and was credited with helping improve its Formula 1 power unit and overall technical performance during the hybrid era.

A response to the 2018 season

The leadership change followed a 2018 campaign in which Ferrari challenged Mercedes but failed to win either championship. Sebastian Vettel finished second in the drivers’ standings, while Ferrari also placed second in the constructors’ championship.

Despite showing competitive pace during the season, mistakes by the driver and team weakened Ferrari’s title bid. Binotto consequently entered 2019 with the task of turning the team’s technical progress into a sustained championship challenge.