“Since I joined Red Bull, Ferrari have had 6 Team Principals” – Christian Horner does not understand Mattia Binotto’s sacking

Christian Horner guided Red Bull to their 5th Constructor Championship title after a dominant performance by the team. Red Bull claimed 18 wins with Max Verstappen claiming 15 victories en route to claiming his 2nd consecutive Championship.

Horner reclaimed the constructor’s title after 9 years. The last time the Bulls won, they claimed a 4-year long streak sweeping both titles.

Horner has established himself again as an Alpha in the paddock. And his success in 2022 has attracted attention from others, particularly from Maranello.

 

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto will be residing from his role on December 31st after failing to win Ferrari any titles. And the Italian team have set their sights on the Briton as a successor.

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Christian Horner feels Mattia Binotto did a good job

Christian Horner believes Ferrari did a good job despite losing the title race to Red Bull. The Italian team claimed 4 wins but was blown out of the competition after Max Verstappen powered the team to a historic title win.

Yet Horner believes Binotto could have aided Ferrari and does not fully understand the team’s decision to sack him.”It’s Ferrari’s choice. I think it’ll be the 6th Ferrari Team Principal I’ll sit opposite since I’ve been at Red Bull.”

Horner has been with Red Bull since joining the team in 2005 as their first team principal. During these years Ferrari employed Jean Todt, Stefano Domenicali, Marco Mattiacci, Maurizio Arrivabene and Mattia Binotto for the position.

Horner still claims Ferrari should have been a bit more patient with Binotto. “Obviously it’s difficult for him. They had a great car this year, and they were a great competitor.”

Also Read: “Without a leader and without leadership”: Ferrari boss who once scolded Michael Schumacher takes a jibe at Maranello team

Horner committed to Red Bull

Ferrari is looking at various successors to replace the outgoing Mattia Binotto. Apart from Christian Horner other names on the list are AlphaTauri’s Franz Tost, McLaren’s Andras Seidl,  Alfa Romeo’s Frederic Vasseur and former Sauber Team Principal Monisha Kaltenborn.

But Horner has rubbished any intentions of jumping ship to Ferrari. He said, “My commitment is very much with Red Bull. I’ve been there since the beginning, and obviously, I have a very close attachment with the team.”

In the 18 seasons since his joining, Horner has led Red Bull to 6 driver’s titles, 5 constructors championships, and secured 92 race wins. And the Brit wishes to stay put.

According to reports Ferrari had contacted Horner after the 2021 season with the offer to be their Team Principal. But Horner declined and this caused Ferrari to hold on to Binotto for another season.

Alfa Romeo boss Frederic Vasseur is the most likely option to succeed Binotto. But the outgoing Ferrari boss is expected to sign for another team as soon as his mandated distancing period ends.

Binotto has been with Ferrari’s F1 team for the past 30 years. The Italian has been the team boss for 4 seasons and will be stepping down on 31st December after completing his term.

Also Read: Ferrari to pay $1.5 million to Mattia Binotto for not joining a rival team for next six months