So it comes around again; the latest speculation on whether the Ferrari boss, in this case Mattia Binotto, keeps his job.

It was last rumoured about around the Monza grand prix weekend; this time Italian media has been briefed (but not by Ferrari) that Binotto is to be replaced for next year by current Alfa team principal Frederic Vasseur.

mark hughes: if ferrari’s learned anything, it will back binotto

It’s clear that there is some smoke and that Vasseur has been in discussions with John Elkann (Binotto’s ultimate boss). But any claims that the decision has been made known to Binotto – ether at Monza or more recently – are described by one who should know as “pure bulls**t”.

It may be significant that Ferrari put out a company statement on Tuesday: “In relation to the speculations that appeared in some press organs reporting the position of the Team Principal of the Scuderia, Mattia Binotto, Ferrari announces that these are totally unfounded rumours.” When the end of Maurizio Arrivabene’s time there (and before him, Marco Mattiacci) was being heavily speculated about, there was only silence from Ferrari.

In any case, it is a frustrating charade to witness. The cycle of ‘sack the boss’, ‘bring in the new boss’ and the building pressure to then sack the new boss when there are no world titles has a certain soccer premiership feel about it. No-one in senior management (i.e. above Ferrari TP) seems to have noticed that Ferrari’s period of stunning success came when the senior team personnel were left to do their jobs despite years of near-misses with a super-expensive and brilliant lead driver.

mark hughes: if ferrari’s learned anything, it will back binotto

Ever since that system was dropped, so have the titles. Coincidence? Post-Enzo Ferrari (who died in 1988) and pre-Jean Todt/Ross Brawn (who were brought together in 1997) the team was run in a similar way to now, with near-misses, subsequent mass sackings and further crisis.

Todt and Brawn stabilised that, got rid of that culture – and the team became almost unbeatable for years on end. Before then reverting.

Binotto has spearheaded making Ferrari one of the most technically creative teams – with a great power unit and chassis. That is the hardest part. But operationally it’s not strong.

The logical response to that is surely to retain stability but bring in reinforcements to attend to weaknesses, not to chop off the head.

Recall 1990 and the mass firings after Alain Prost only just lost the title? Recall what the team was like in ’91 and for the next several years?

mark hughes: if ferrari’s learned anything, it will back binotto

It was nowhere near the pace. This is exactly as any racing person would be able to predict, but which a corporate person may not quite grasp.

A couple of years ago – when Ferrari was nowhere – Elkann set Binotto a target, that by 2022 he expected the team to be in contention and winning races. That’s exactly where it has been this year.

It can only be imagined how much wasted energy goes into dealing with the fall-out of all this speculation and how near-impossible it becomes to focus on the things that need to be addressed. Ferrari needs to be bolstered trackside and Binotto needs to be given a massive vote of confidence from above while acknowledging there’s still much to be done.

mark hughes: if ferrari’s learned anything, it will back binotto

For one, there needs to be a culture of the team owning its problems and attending to them as a process problem, not a personnel one. Binotto helped get rid of the poisonous fear culture which pervaded during Arrivabene’s time, but it’s not yet been replaced by a culture where specific problems are accepted by all and simply processed into oblivion without anyone feeling their position is at risk.

That’s how to get the best out of a bunch of creative, talented people – and to recognise the difference between a problematical boss and one who is not being given the support he needs.

Keyword: Mark Hughes: If Ferrari’s learned anything, it will back Binotto

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Sainz: Ferrari defeat to Mercedes ‘fair’ reflection of F1 2023

Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari. 25.11.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 23, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Qualifying Day Carlos Sainz believes Ferrari’s defeat to Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship in Abu Dhabi painted a “fair” reflection of the teams’ respective form in 2023. Having ...

View more: Sainz: Ferrari defeat to Mercedes ‘fair’ reflection of F1 2023

Leclerc explains tactics in closing stages of Abu Dhabi GP

Charles Leclerc (FRA), Scuderia Ferrari 26.11.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 23, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Race Day. Charles Leclerc has explained the tactics that saw him relinquish second position on the road to Sergio Perez during the closing stages of the Abu Dhabi ...

View more: Leclerc explains tactics in closing stages of Abu Dhabi GP

F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Max Verstappen cruises to win as Mercedes beat Ferrari to second in constructors' championship

Max Verstappen capped off a record-breaking, championship winning 2023 F1 season in style with victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Having fended off a first-lap attack from Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, the result was never in doubt for Verstappen, who comfortably claimed a record-extending 19th win from 22 races. ...

View more: F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Max Verstappen cruises to win as Mercedes beat Ferrari to second in constructors' championship

Listen to This Manual Ferrari F430 Hit 192 MPH On The Autobahn

What do you get when you pair a gated shifter and a flat-plane crank Ferrari V-8 to a road with no speed limit? Pure automotive bliss.

View more: Listen to This Manual Ferrari F430 Hit 192 MPH On The Autobahn

Sainz believes rivals deliberately impeded final Abu Dhabi Q1 run

Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari. 25.11.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 23, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Qualifying Day Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was a shock exit in the first round of qualifying Saturday in Abu Dhabi and credited the likes of Mercedes and Alpine in ...

View more: Sainz believes rivals deliberately impeded final Abu Dhabi Q1 run

Charles Leclerc says Abu Dhabi front row a “big surprise” after fearing Q1 exit with ‘peaky’ Ferrari F1 car 

Charles Leclerc says ending up on the front row of the grid for the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a “big surprise” after he feared a Q1 elimination. The Ferrari driver produced a special lap with his final run of Q3 to put his car on the front ...

View more: Charles Leclerc says Abu Dhabi front row a “big surprise” after fearing Q1 exit with ‘peaky’ Ferrari F1 car 

Leclerc reveals Q1 exit concerns before ‘surprise’ Abu Dhabi front row

Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari celebrates his second position in qualifying parc ferme. 25.11.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 23, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Qualifying Day. Charles Leclerc admits he was concerned about being eliminated in Q1 before ending up with a “surprise” front row ...

View more: Leclerc reveals Q1 exit concerns before ‘surprise’ Abu Dhabi front row

Michael Mann's Ferrari Is An Authentic Portrait Of One Of Motorsport's Weirdest Guys

Gif: IGN / YouTube If you’re familiar with the oft-mythologized story of Enzo Ferrari, there are a few things you’ll know about the man. He rarely left Modena, the small Italian town he called home, after he and his wife Laura founded Scuderia Ferrari. He ran the most iconic ...

View more: Michael Mann's Ferrari Is An Authentic Portrait Of One Of Motorsport's Weirdest Guys

Sainz rendered a ‘passenger’ in heavy FP2 crash

Mercedes and Ferrari’s £8m duel for P2 examined ahead of Abu Dhabi F1 season showdown

A farewell to GTE, part two: Ferrari, Ford, Porsche and Dodge

Leclerc targets 2024 F1 title battle after ‘disappointing’ season

Ferrari want ‘more clarity’ on F1 rules after Sainz Vegas GP penalty

Ferrari Roma Spider makes Malaysian debut, RM3.2 million

Ferrari opens new showroom next to KLCC

Ital Auto Malaysia Opens Ferrari Showroom In Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur

Watch The Coolest Custom Ferrari On the Planet Grenade Its Honda Engine On Track

Ital Auto Malaysia: Ferrari Malaysia’s New Home

Ferrari Purosangue is now in Malaysia from RM5 million

How Ferrari gets payback for 'stupid' F1 rule + Gary Anderson's view

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel