F1 2022 season - Michael Masi sacked

First topic message reminder :

Rumours suggesting Fernando Alonso's deal with Aston Martin could be up to 4 years long. 2 years guaranteed. Third year is driver side option and fourth year is team side option.
Alonso might never retire at this rate LOL

Not sure there'd be much in that. Mercedes preference is to have a clear 1/2, George is in there before they lose him. Imagine if Lewis decided to leave they'd be more interested in a Bottas/Perez type

Danny Ric returns to RB. Guess he becomes the presumptive replacement if they move on from Perez in the future

Binotto exit imminent

Ferrari confirm his "resignation"

Jeff knows best hey?

Joking aside sacking Vettel only to then totally screw up 2022. There was no future for Binotto.

The Sainz camp have been desperately trying to get Binotto a stay of execution, but for Ferrari it’s all about retaining LeClerc.

No big surprise that Binotti has gone - Ferrari should have been in a position to mount a serious challenge to RB given where their car as at the start of the season, but a variety of technical, tactical and developmental own goals made for a very one sided season.

The big question though is who comes in to replace him?

When you start a season with the fastest car and end up third with weekly strategy meltdowns the writing is somewhat on the wall

Having looked a bit more it appears that Binotti will be replaced by Frederic Vasseur, current Team Principal of Alfa. Big step up in responsibility with regards to the team's objectives. Always easy to say that changes need to be made, and to sack the person in charge, but much more difficult to make sure that the replacement is an improvement.

Vasseur brought LeClerc through some formulas iirc so that's probably the big appeal beyond already being in the group

LeClerc has been guaranteed undisputed #1 driver status.

It has been suggested that Mattia Binotto as well as being Team Principal also acted as Chief Technical Director / Officer - and it is this latter role that may have consequences for Ferrari - leaving a hole in their technical experience and knowledge at a time when development for next years car is going to be critical.

Mattia Binotto’s card was marked at the end of 2021 - Ferrari tried to sign Christian Horner or Andreas Seidl to replace Binotto for 2022. Both had no interest in the job.
John Elkann had no faith in Binotto’s abilities…

Anyway Binotto is now in prime position to join Audi.

Andy Seidl leaves McLaren as Vasseurs replacement at Alfa

Saudi Arabia will host the opening race of the 2024 season

Mick leaves Ferrari to be Mercedes reserve driver

Andretti partnering with GM to enter F1 as Andretti Cadillac

Gonna struggle to argue against Andretti if he's bringing GM

"Logan it's James..."

James Vowles new team principal of Williams from 20th February

Really sad seeing established F1 teams battling to keep F1 a closed shop by blocking new teams such as Andretti's from entering. F1 will never expand and be more competitive in its current guise. Okay there is no guarantee a new team or two will change this but it shakes things up a lot and potentially brings more diversity and engine manufacturers onboard.