In the absence of any racing and at this time of self-reflection, I thought a piece on the unfortunate culture of Formula One and an expression of confidence in Mattia Binotto might be appropriate.
The environment of Formula One has a rather unpleasant, unhealthy side to it. Commentators and journalists seem to think that their opinions are news and freely share them, sometimes without any thought to courtesy. This is picked up on by the fans. The fans are instantly critical and any review “below the line” of online F1 sites, will show an apparently unmoderated display of ranting, trolling, accusations of cheating, corruption and in some circumstances, open and undisguised misogyny. There appears to be no effort on the part of the Formula One management to improve this discourse. It is a major disappointment that when they took over, Liberty Media didn’t see the cultural problems pervasive in Formula One and allow this type of behaviour to continue unabated.
Mattia Binotto in particular, is the target of this abuse. Being the Team Principal of Ferrari is one of the most high profile jobs in motorsport. Certainly, nobody would accept the job without the expectation of high pressure and intense scrutiny. Mattia Binotto took over in 2019, after a very difficult time for Ferrari, when their CEO, Sergio Marchionne, passed away suddenly. It was never going to be easy. It would be strange indeed if Mr Marchionne’s passing hadn’t had a profound effect on all those working with him. It was a difficult time to take over.
Recently, due to the Coronavirus crisis causing racing to be cancelled, the websites are now filling up with “comment”. To add to the usual suspects, the previous Formula One Management CEO, Bernie Ecclestone, has decided to give an interview where he announces that he believes Mr Binotto, as an engineer, is incapable of leadership and proposes he is replaced by Flavio Briatore so that Briatore can poach personnel from other teams apparently by convincing them he is in charge, even if he isn’t.
Firstly, being an engineer and being a leader are not mutually exclusive. Secondly, I seriously doubt anyone other than Mr Ecclestone would welcome the idea of Briatore leading Ferrari. Ecclestone’s comments are the opinion of someone no longer involved in the day to day running of Formula One, who no doubt has his own agenda. They are not analysis or insight. They encourage the press to heap more pressure on Binotto and Ferrari and they are a dog whistle to the keyboard warriors posting below the line. It is nothing more than bullying and trolling. Formula One is one of the few environments left where bullying, deception and macho posturing are still seen as desirable traits. If this is the “leadership” Bernie Ecclestone is looking to see, then we are better off without his opinions. It shows the poor quality environment that Formula One has, that such comments are reported and that such behaviour goes unchallenged by the new Formula One management. If Formula One Management would like to step up and show some leadership in response, now would be a good time.
Let us be clear. The executive Board of Ferrari will have had the choice of many fine candidates for the position of team principal. They could probably have hired anyone they wanted to hire. The person they chose to hire was Binotto, and as he continues in his position, we must assume he holds their confidence.
Ferrari are the oldest and most successful team in Formula One. A look at their history will show that there have been many times in the past when they were not a championship winning team, even when run by Enzo Ferrari himself. They know how to turn this around. It is a process. There are no “magicians” who can transform things merely by their presence; there are no magic wands to wave to make the car more competitive. If there were, there would be no need for leadership. As long as Binotto holds the confidence of the Ferrari board, then we must assume that they consider him the best person for the job.
I am not suggesting that Ferrari and Binotto should be given a free pass. Obviously, they should be subject to scrutiny and fair criticism. That is the sign of a healthy environment. The wholesale assault on Binotto, however, is unfair and unseemly. This behaviour is not confined to him. The vitriol directed at Claire Williams is totally unacceptable. The bile unleashed against drivers is disturbing. The ability of the Formula One paddock behaviour to flip instantly from professional to hysterical is concerning. There are more conspiracy theories at any given race than on the Alex Jones show.
We are all being forced to take a break. Perhaps, in this down time, Formula One Management CEO, Chase Carey might like to take the opportunity to consider how he is going to address this problem and change this culture.
In the meantime, I have full confidence that Mattia Binotto is doing the job Ferrari hired him to do and wish him every success.
By Clare Topic
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