Binotto exit imminent as media report revives rumors

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Rumors of Mattia Binotto's departure from the helm of Ferrari are ramping up once again, fueled by credible reports in the Italian media claiming that the Scuderia chief is set to hand in his resignation.

Just over a week ago, on the eve of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari dismissed reports alleging that Binotto was on his way out and would be replaced by Alfa Romeo boss Fred Vasseur.

However, Italy's Corriere della Sera has once again suggested that Binotto's day are numbered, and that an official announcement by Ferrari confirming Binotto's exit could come as early as Friday.

The Corriere della Sera' report states that the Italian is ready to resign as he feels that he no longer has the full support of Ferrari president John Elkann.

Ferrari has responded to the report stating it will not comment on "speculation".

Read also: Binotto non-committal on Ferrari future, but feeling 'pretty relaxed'

The House of Maranello fielded a race-winning car at the start of the season, with Charles Leclerc making the most of his F1-75's strength in the first three races of the year.

Thereafter, as Red Bull sprang into action after its early reliability issues, Ferrari progressively lost its footing while there was no looking back for the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

However, the Italian outfit owes several of its defeats against Red Bull to its own missteps and strategy blunders.

©Ferrari

After last week's 'unfounded' wave of rumors, Binotto said that he had received assurances from Elkann about his future.

"Obviously when this speculation came out, I had a chat with my chairman, John Elkann," he said in Abu Dhabi.

"We discussed openly what was the best way to move forward. We decided to release a statement was maybe the best way to close any speculation. Clearly there is speculation, totally with no foundation."

It's entirely possible that Binotto, pressured by events and feeling the heat, may have chosen to throw in the towel and voluntarily hand in his resignation.

In which case, the hunt for a new Scuderia chief will be under way at the House of Maranello, with Vasseur likely in the team's line of sight.

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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.