After Bombshell revelation by Sebastian Vettel during Thursday drivers press conference about Ferrari’s decision, not to renew Germans contract With out initiating any discussions.
Now it’s Binottos turn to tell his side of story and reasons for not to renew Vettels contract, which will end by this season.
Binotto revealed Sebastian Vettel is still unhappy with the Scuderia’s decision not to renew his contract, almost two months after being informed.
Asked at Friday’s team principals’ press conference at the Red Bull Ring about sacking Vettel, Binotto pointed to many factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Certainly we have always said to him in the wintertime, privately to him and publicly, that he would have been our first choice,” said Binotto.
“I confirm that’s it’s normal during wintertime that many drivers ask us if there was an opportunity to drive for Ferrari. We have suddenly been contacted. That didn’t change our position. Seb was our first choice.
“What has happened since then, I think the pandemic situation that changed the entire world, not only our motorsport, our F1, [but] the budget cap has been changed by quite a lot, a lot more strict, the regulations have been postponed from ’21 to ’22, which was important for us, the cars have been almost frozen from 2020 for 2021, so let’s say the entire situation has changed.
During the shutdown, as Ferrari, we had to consider our position. We took a decision, so that was our decision, it was our responsibility, and we communicated to him.”
Vettel confirmed on Thursday the decision came as a surprise to him, to which Binotto replied: “I heard he was surprised, which I remember well he was surprised. I would say yes, certainly. I understand it, it’s pretty normal to be surprised.
“I think even today he is not, let’s say, fully happy with it, which is something that’s normal and obvious.”
Binotto on relationship with Vettel
When asked about , how the decision will impact their relationship Binotto said,he still has great admiration for Vettel as a driver and a person and he expects same from vettel.
“It has been a great period, five years so far, six with the current season. He is a great champion but is as well a great person,” said Binotto.
“I think everybody in Ferrari, our fans, the people working internally really love the time with him. That’s something we fully respect”.
When asked about whether their decision to not renew Vettel’s contract is correct or not, Binotto said “we hope we are correct”.
