Why Ferrari F1 boss Binotto plans to skip two more races
Binotto was absent from the Turkish Grand Prix as he stayed in Maranello in order to concentrate Ferrari’s development effort of its all new car for 2022 when F1’s new era of rules begins.
He will be back on the Ferrari pitwall for this weekend’s United States Grand Prix but is planning to skip the following flyaway rounds in Mexico and Brazil.
“This is one of the races I was targeting to be back home,” Binotto said of his absence in Turkey.
“Obviously the calendar has changed a couple of times since the very start, so I changed a bit my plans, but certainly Turkey was one of these ones.
“I will skip at least another two races before the end of the season. At the moment I’m planning [to miss] Mexico and Brazil. The reason, as you may imagine, especially Mexico and Brazil being overseas, it’s a long trip.”
Binotto trialed managing the team remotely by skipping races in Turkey and Bahrain last season, with Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies stepping in to takeover responsibilities at the track in his absence.
It is a dynamic that Binotto believes works well, enabling him to prioritise managing a “critical phase” of Ferrari’s 2022 development plans.
“Here back at Maranello there is a lot to do, clearly much to do,” he explained. “It’s an entire team to somehow manage, both the chassis and the power unit, and the entire organisation.
“We are in terms of 2022 development certainly in a critical phase, where time is getting closer and closer.
“I’m happy to be here. From the way I’m managing the race weekend, it’s certainly on Thursday and Friday, being in the office, I can certainly be more focused on whatever is happening back here in Maranello.
“On Saturday and Sunday, it’s fully dedicated to the race weekend. I’m missing the networks in the paddock, but Laurent Mekies can do a great job.
“I’m very happy with how he is managing the entire team when I am not there, so I am very happy with that.”
Ferrari sits just 7.5 points behind nearest rivals McLaren in their intense battle over third place in the constructors' championship heading into the final six races of 2021.
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