F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Binotto gardening leave reportedly extended to 2024

Former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto is reportedly restricted from joining another F1 outfit or any entity linked to the sport for a period of 12 months, or until the end of 2023.

Binotto handed in his resignation as the Scuderia's team principal at the end of November, the Swiss-Italian engineer relinquishing a position he had held since January 2019, while his overall tenure with Ferrari had lasted 28 years.

The Italian outfit will be led by former Alfa Romeo F1 team boss Frédéric Vasseur who enjoyed on Monday his first day on the job at Maranello.

Read also: Ferrari F1 veteran Arnoux would have fired Binotto 'years ago'

It was initially believed that Binotto's gardening leave would extend to six months, but according to Italian website formu1a.uno, the 53-year-old engineer's notice period will last until the end of the year, with additional compensation having reportedly bene granted to Binotto.

While there was no happy end for Binotto at Ferrari, the former Scuderia's chief's knowledge and competence are indisputable and they would prove significant assets for any F1 team on the grid, but also perhaps for a potentially new outfit such as Andretti-Cadillac which will need to staff up if its entry into F1 is accepted in the coming months.

On Monday, with Vasseur passing through the golden gates of Maranello, Ferrari's Binotto chapter is now properly closed.

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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.