Binotto to miss Abu Dhabi GP due to bout of illness

©Ferrari

Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has returned to Italy after feeling unwell in Abu Dhabi, although his bout of illness isn't related to COVID-19.

Binotto deliberately chose to miss the recent Turkey and Bahrain Grands Prix to remain in Maranello and focus on the Scuderia's preparations for 2021.

The Swiss engineer was nevertheless present in the paddock at Sakhir and planned on standing post for this weekend's season finale at Yas Marina before falling under the weather.

As in Bahrain, Binotto's responsibilities on site will be taken over by Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies.

Binotto's absence in Abu Dhabi means that he will not witness Sebastian Vettel's swansong outing with Ferrari. It's been a troubled final campaign for the German driver who has been comprehensively outpaced and outscored by teammate Charles Leclerc.

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Ahead of the final round of the 2020 F1 world championship, a massive 65-point gap separates the two drivers in the Drivers' championship.

Vettel's best result this season came in Tukey where the two-time world champion finished third. It was also coincidently a race that Binotto did not attend.

"I think we scored probably the most points this year for us and Mattia wasn’t here! If the next race we don’t score as many points we try again to leave him at home!" Vettel joked in Turkey.

His chances of strong showing at Yas Marina just shot up!

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.