Wolff reveals 'broken porcelain' reason for refusing to hire Binotto
Wolff reveals 'broken porcelain' reason for refusing to hire Binotto
Toto Wolff has declared there is "too much porcelain broken" between himself and Mattia Binotto to consider hiring the Italian for Mercedes.
Binotto is looking for another job after recently handing in his resignation to Ferrari, ending a three-year spell as team principal.
The Italian's tenure began controversially as Ferrari's power unit was the subject of an FIA investigation.
Although changes were made as a result, the exact nature of Ferrari's rule breach remains a mystery after a secret deal was agreed upon with the governing body.
At the time, Wolff claimed the incident had "stretched all of us to a point to be competitive against Ferrari, where it was difficult to cope".
READ MORE...Russell offers sneak peak of 2023 Mercedes - with new roll hoop
Much water has flowed under the bridge since then but Wolff appears to remain jolted by the experience, categorically ruling out a future working relationship with the 53-year-old.
Asked if he would consider hiring Binotto at Mercedes, Wolff told the 'Beyond the Grid' podcast: “No, I think there was too much porcelain broken between us over the last few years for this to be possible.
“With the other teams, I can’t say.
“But certainly, Mattia understands Formula 1 inside out and maybe he will find a role at another team.”
Binotto held on to Ferrari job longer than Wolff thought
Although Ferrari created a strong car this term, the reliability and strategy problems that defined Binotto's tenure cost the team the chance to maintain a championship challenge.
This came off the back of the shambles in 2020 when Ferrari endured its worst campaign in 40 years.
Assessing Binotto's tenure, Wolff added: “Mattia and I had our moments, it is no secret, over these many years. But in a way, we consolidated that in 2022.
“We were in a much better place but it was always clear he was under tremendous pressure.
“Being the team principal at Ferrari, you’d better have a good contract for your exit and now, probably, the unavoidable happened.
“But he held onto it for longer than I thought.”
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Sky Sports F1 pundit dumbfounded by key Ferrari decision
- 7 minutes ago
Newey set to announce STUNNING Red Bull departure
- 1 hour ago
Talented young F1 prodigy set to make series DEBUT
- 2 hours ago
F1 champion reveals 'painful' contract clause that cost him HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
- 3 hours ago
F1 legend's ICONIC car put up for sale in UK
- Today 14:57
Incredible statistic puts Verstappen AHEAD of Hamilton record
- Today 13:57
Related news
Mercedes star tipped to replace struggling driver THIS season
Hamilton car camera captures Verstappen's TRUE feelings toward F1 rival
Marko reveals Vettel requirements for stunning F1 comeback
Fierce Hamilton F1 rival raises timing issue for Ferrari move
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860