Ferrari F1 boss Binotto sees exit door following dismal season
Ferrari Formula 1 principal Mattia Binotto. (EPA Photo)


Ferrari's 2022 Formula One season has been a disaster, resulting in the announcement that team principal Mattia Binotto will leave the team at the end of next month after four years in which they frequently struggled to keep up with other leaders.

Binotto has been with Ferrari for 28 years and took over the team principal role in 2019.

The team was winless in 2020 and 2021 but started 2022 promisingly as Charles Leclerc won two of the opening three races, only for his title challenge to fizzle out as Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the championship with ease.

Ferrari came under criticism for blunders in its pit and tire strategies during Binotto's time in charge. A botched pit stop at the Dutch Grand Prix in September saw only three tires initially fitted to Carlos Sainz Jr.'s car and was seen as a symbol of Ferrari's difficulties.

"With the regret that this entails, I have decided to conclude my collaboration with Ferrari," Binotto said in a statement, adding that he felt "serenity" at having done his best.

Ferrari did not immediately name a successor but said its choice "is expected to be finalized in the new year."