Vasseur replaces Binotto as Ferrari Team Principal

Following the exit of Mattia Binotto, Ferrari have announced that Fred Vasseur will join the Maranello-based outfit on 9 January as Team Principal and General Manager.

Following the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Mattia Binotto, who joined Ferrari as an engine engineer in 1995 before rising to take the helm of F1’s most famous team, announced that he would leave the team at the end of the year.

Ferrari have now announced that they have appointed Fred Vasseur as Team Principal, who will join the Italian outfit on 9 January as Team Principal and General Manager.

The Frenchman has over 25 years of winning motor racing experience, commencing in the junior formulas and over the last decade in Formula 1. During this time, he has also been widely acknowledged for his success in fostering leading driver talent, claiming the GP2 series in both 2005 with Nico Rosberg and 2006 with Lewis Hamilton.

Vasseur has most recently held the position of CEO and Team Principal of Sauber Motorsport (currently Alfa Romeo F1 Team) since 2017. Prior to this he was the Team Principal of Renault F1 Team in 2016.

Speaking of the appointment, Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna said: “We are delighted to welcome Fred Vasseur to Ferrari as our Team Principal. Throughout his career he has successfully combined his technical strengths as a trained engineer with a consistent ability to bring out the best in his drivers and teams.

“This approach and his leadership are what we need to push Ferrari forward with renewed energy.”

Vasseur added: “I am truly delighted and honoured to take over the leadership of Scuderia Ferrari as Team Principal. As someone who has always held a lifelong passion for motorsport, Ferrari has always represented the very pinnacle of the racing world to me.

“I look forward to working with the talented and truly passionate team in Maranello to honour the history and heritage of the Scuderia and deliver for our Tifosi around the world.”