Former Ferrari boss offers surprising view on Hamilton switch

Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has revealed that he would not have signed Lewis Hamilton, had he still been in charge. 

Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the conclusion of the current season and partner Charles Leclerc at Ferrari next year. 

The move was announced on Februrary 1, prior to the current campaign starting and is viewed as one of the biggest driver moves in the history of F1. 

However, Binotto, who left the Maranello-based outfit at the conclusion of 2022, does not agree with current Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur's decision to sign the 40-year-old. 

When asked by Corriere della Sera if he would have signed Hamilton, Binotto said: “No. But he did very well to go to Ferrari, I agree with his decision."

Binotto, the current Audi chief operating officer and chief technical officer, did explain his reasoning why he would not have signed the seven-time world champion. 

His reason stems around Leclerc, who has driven for Ferrari since 2019 and was part of its driver academy. 

In Binotto's eyes, Ferrari should be building its title challenges around the Monegasque driver.

“Because Ferrari had set their sights on other drivers," added Binotto. "And if the talent is Leclerc, he is the one who somehow I think should be taken to the target."