Arrivabene: Binotto rumors just 'fake news' to unsettle Ferrari

Maurizio Arrivabene put the record straight on Sunday, insisting that rumors surrounding the future of Ferrari technical director Mattia Binotto are a case of fake news destined to unsettle the Scuderia.

Following the derailment of Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel's title chances after the summer, reports emerged in the media of a power struggle ramping up at the House of Maranello between Arrivabene and Binotto.

Rumors swelled that the Swiss engineer was contemplating a move to a rival outfit for 2019, with Mercedes and Renault cited as the most likely candidates to snap up Binotto.

Speaking at Monza on Sunday, during Ferrari's annual Finali Mondiali event, a blunt Arrivabene addressed the gossip, dismissing it as "fake news" disseminated for nefarious purposes.

"Let's make it clear once and for all," the Italian told the media.

"The rumours about Mattia are a fake news, put around to create instability in the team, an attempt to try to create problems where there are no problems, and I do not want to comment on false rumors anymore.

• De la Rosa says Ferrari 'failed to protect' Vettel

"During this season there have been many attempts at destabilization, sometimes with stories about the drivers, others about the technicians.

"My position? Ask the managing director [Louis] Camilleri."

As Arrivabene denied any prominent exits from the Scuderia, he also said the Scuderia was in no rush to boost its ranks with new recruits, underlining the stability of the squad's current foundation.

"No one has ever spoken of goodbyes, possibly we can talk about reinforcements," he said.

"But it takes time, we'll think about it next season. Today the team is there, and it's a good and compact team.

"If there are reinforcements they will arrive without any haste, I stress it, and if we need to have them.

"The line is that of stability, if there are additions [they] will not undermine the soundness of the existing group," he added.

"A team that works only needs reinforcements, not revolutions. Personally, I have never believed in revolutions, but in evolution."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter