Mattia Binotto’s shock exit as Ferrari team principal on the finish of the 2022 Formula 1 season has sparked a veritable boss struggle within the premier class after it was revealed that Scuderia will bring Alfa Romeo team principal Frederik Wasser to Maranello.
In addition to the Frenchman, Ferrari additionally sought Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and former McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl as Binotto’s successors, however to no avail. Horner has been with Red Bull since 2005 and can stay on the team, whereas Seidl replaces Wasser at Alfa Romeo, who will transfer to the Audi works team in 2026.
However, in response to former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, Ferrari ought to have used previous acquaintance Jean Todt as an alternative of Binotto.
Montoya explains why Todt would be the only option
The Frenchman was team principal at Maranello from 1994 to 2007 and through his time he gained seven constructors’ titles and 6 drivers’ championships, and along with Michael Schumacher shaped one of the vital dominant durations in Formula 1 historical past.
(*1*)
“I thought they have been going to place Jean Todt in that place,” says Montoya when requested how new Ferrari team boss Frédéric Wasser would fare. “Honestly, that would be my selection too. “I do not know if he needs to do the job, however he is completed it earlier than.”
“I suppose everybody respects him a lot that nobody messes with him. He is the sort of one that does not want a job, should you do not want a job and do not care. [ihn zu verlieren]you’ve the braveness to make the proper resolution,” explains Montoya.
Montoya: They’re ready to fireside you
For the Colombian, the fixed concern of shedding his job as Ferrari boss is the principle purpose why the proper choices haven’t all the time been made up to now. Todt, then again, may have acted with extra poise and braveness.
“The troublesome factor about Ferrari is that nobody looks like they’ve a safe job. Everyone is ready so that you can make a mistake to fireside you. That’s what I see from the surface.”
“If you take a look at Toto [Wolff] By the look of it, you understand Toto is not going wherever. You take a look at Christian [Horner] or Helmut [Marko] Come on, they will not go away both. But you all the time take a look at the Ferrari boss and say, “Well, how lengthy is he going to be there?” you suppose. Because somebody all the time comes after him,” he explains.
“But I hope they do properly [mit Frederic Vasseur]”, – emphasizes Montoya. “At the start of 2022, it was stunning that that they had a robust automotive that was not used properly. To everybody’s shock, you hear them say… “Oh, we are able to nonetheless win the subsequent ten races.” And they did not win a single race.”
Montoya drove in Formula 1 for Williams and McLaren from 2001 to 2005 and was one among Todt’s greatest rivals at Ferrari. Although it was not sufficient for the championship, the Colombian gained seven races and took 30 podiums and 13 poles.