Binotto opens up on 'very hard' F1 absence

Mattia Binotto has revealed how difficult it was to adjust to life outside of F1 following his exit from Ferrari at the end of the 2022 season.

Binotto rose to the team principal role at the Italian squad in 2019 having spent over two decades in its engineering department.

He oversaw difficult campaigns in 2020 and 2021 and was replaced at the conclusion of the following campaign by Frederic Vasseur, who remains in the position to this day.

When asked by media including RacingNews365 how he found the time he spent away from F1, Binotto said: “Very difficult. 

“I think it's not an easy one, because after 30 years, you may dream of finally having some holidays.

“You may dream of having some days off, to visit and stay with your family, which have been great times I have to say, and very useful.

“But to stop suddenly, after 28 years, you are always at 100 per cent, 120 per cent, 24/7. It’s hard.

“I was already back home watching all the sessions, analysing my data, trying to understand what was going on, reading newspapers, reading what journalists were writing.

“Just imagine how bad it can be, doing my own assessment!

“So no, it was hard, but I have passions. I think I didn't accept any compromises, also in terms of offers I received, because I was really waiting for the project, which, when it came, we signed in two days, showing the big commitment to it.”

Binotto highlights Audi differences to Ferrari

Binotto will work at Audi in tangent with Jonathan Wheatley, who will leave Red Bull to take on the team principal role at the German outfit.

With Binotto in charge of placing the foundations for future success at the team, the ex-Ferrari boss highlighted the different nature of his role compared to that at his former team.

“It's great because I know I have a benchmark in mind,” Binotto said. “I think that will certainly help the project.

“‘What should we do? Then it's a matter of, ‘how can we do it as fast as possible?’

“Today, I see the benchmark is clear. We are setting our priorities because you can’t do it all in one. 

“It’s several years and as well, based on my experience, I was lucky to join Ferrari in 1995 and was part of that great period. 

“But I saw the process and took time as well 30 years ago, by employing very young people, creating foundations, having senior skill people as well in the team, creating the team spirit, the mindset of a winning team, improving. 

“So there is so much, which is fascinating, which I love. I was looking for a big challenge and I signed because the challenge is even bigger than the one that I was expecting.”