Throughout the many years of Formula One and motorsport, we’ve had to endure the knowledge that nothing ever lasts forever and the growing adaptation to new beginnings is something we’ve all learnt to accept. For some; the change could be deemed plausible while for others, an agonising pit of disappointment and sadness.

Some departures are the worst kept secrets and Binotto’s exit from Ferrari was just that. Although the team confirmed he wouldn’t be departing, it took only two weeks for the news to break that the Swiss-born team principle would resign from his position and exit Ferrari at the end of the year. The chief executive officer, Benedetto Vigna, put out a statement where he thanked Binotto for his contributions to the team over the course of 28 years.

Speculation has continued to fly, as always, with rumours that Alfa Romeo Racing’s team principle Frédéric Vasseur and Prema Powerteam’s Rene Rosin are two contenders to take over from Binotto to help Ferrari become the championship winning team they once were. There has been no confirmation on who will be filling his role just yet.

As we look back on his many years with the team, his most memorable will always remain within the past four years where he stepped in place of Maurizio Arrivabene in 2019 to hopefully lead Ferrari to another championship. Although he failed within those four years, his dedication to the team will never be overlooked. Binotto powered the team to a second place seat on his debut season in the constructors standings, Leclerc’s back-to-back pole positions and double victories in Spa and Monza and the teams first one-two result in Singapore, more than two years after their last.

Binotto dealt with the challenges the 2020 season would bring with Covid-19 and the parting of four-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel. He welcomed a fresh faced Carlos Sainz to the team ahead of 2021 and strived to push Ferrari back to the top. In his four years, he was unable to do so but clawed closest to the opportunity in our most recent season, 2022.

They were able to take their next one-two at Bahrain to open what could have been a phenomenal season but was soon cut short after multiple reliability issues and a Red Bull car too fast to catch. The burning question will always remain on Binotto’s mind; could we have done it if the rules had been harsher on the cost cap? After it was announced that their main rivals for the championship had broken the rules, it was no shock that Binotto and the teams hopes would be tarnished and dampened. He fought for Ferrari and, through fault after fault, he couldn’t manage what he had dreamed to do.

Although for some, Binotto’s departure will be one of joy, the question will still remain on who his replacement will be and whether their new team principle will be one as devoted to the Italian team as he was. Binotto goes on to say that he is ‘leaving a company [he] loves’ and the Tifosi will now only be able to hope that his replacement is one who can bring the red’s back to the top but, to also be committed and love the team as much as Binotto has over his 28 years.