Ferrari has reportedly ended up paying Mattia Binotto extra money to ensure that the Italian does not sign for another team this year.
Binotto was forced to retire from his position at the end of last season after being held responsible for a number of questionable strategic calls.
Charles Leclerc suffered in particular as a result of these decisions by Ferrari.
Had the communication and strategies been better implemented, it may well have been a very different season for the Maranello.
Since then, Frederic Vasseur has been recruited from Alfa Romeo and been announced as the team’s new principal.
However, Binotto will not have the option of jumping ship and helping out any other team in F1, at least not this season.
A report from Formu1a.uno states that Ferrari has paid Binotto extra cash to ensure that he can’t work for another team for the next 12 months.
What does Binotto’s exit deal entail?
A ‘gardening leave’ is common practice in F1 and is usually set at 6 months.
However, Ferrari has ensured that this has been doubled and Binotto will be forced to watch proceedings from the sidelines.
Binotto’s severance terms also state that the Italian is not allowed to join the FIA or perform any role associated with Liberty Media till the completion of this 12 month gardening leave.
Most of the engineers who were present during Binotto’s tenure are expected to remain at Ferrari and there isn’t expected to be much of a staff overhaul with Vasseur’s arrival.
The manner in which they operate is widely expected to be different.
While Binotto was largely responsible for managing the technical department as well as team principal duties, Vassuer is expected to allow engineers more autonomy and responsibility.