The three wise men could have brought a belated and unexpected gift for Fernando Alonso. The sudden dismissal of Maurizio Arrivabene, Ferrari’s chief sports officer, could, in theory, benefit the Spaniard. Binotto was then technical director, and during their time working together, both men maintained a friendly relationship.

Arrivabene has been immediately replaced by his sempiternal rival inside Maranello, former technical chief, Mattia Binotto. The 49-year-old Swiss engineer knows Spaniard’s working style in detail as they both coincided during Fernando Alonso’s time at the Red squad.

Those that criticized Sebastian Vettel for his 2018 performance are also convinced that the Spaniard could have proclaimed himself champion had he had the German’s car.

Both a sector of the press and some of Ferrari’s fans are therefore looking back at the Spaniard’s time with the Scuderia between 2010 and 2015 with nostalgia.

During his five years with the Italian team, Alonso kept up a relentless fight for the crown despite having a significantly worse car than Adrian Newey’s Red Bull which Vettel was driving.

Fernando Alonso knew how to squeeze all the juice from his car in each Grand Prix. He signed, dressed in red, memorable Formula 1 races. His skill and stamina have not been forgotten in Maranello.

The news of Arrivabene’s departure has brought a cheeky smile to some of Alonso’s fans’ faces and even to some journalists’. They know that Ferrari’s new situation could be an opportunity, as remote as this might be, for the Spaniard to go back to Maranello. 

Alonso himself left the door open for a possible return to Formula 1 after his retirement. In any case, it is clear that ‘El Nano’ still has that thirst for victory and would love to shine again in Formula 1. 

Arrivederci Arrivabene, ciao Binotto

With the drastic dismissal of Arrivabene, the team of the Prancing Horse puts an end to a civil war that both he and Binotto had sustained over the last few years.

Behind their disagreements, sometimes concealed and other times, very public and explicit, there was a bitter struggle for power at the most successful F1 team in history.  

After last seasons’ disappointment of losing the title to Mercedes for the second year in a row despite having the most powerful car, tensions had skyrocketed within Ferrari.

The absolute dominance of Mercedes during the hybrid era of Formula 1 (5 Driver and 5 Constructors’ titles since 2014) is unbearable for the once most powerful team of the grid. 

After losing the title in 2018, the atmosphere within Maranello became even more unbreathable. Both Arrivabene and Vettel himself blamed their failure to a lack of competitiveness.

The truth is that a large chunk of the blame should be placed on the blunders committed at the German and Italian GPs by the German driver. In any case, Vettel has never been a match for Lewis Hamilton, who has always managed to come out on top from any duel between both stars. 

Maurizio is defeated

Maurizio Arrivabene has finally lost his battle with Mattia Binotto. He arrived in Maranello in 2015 in replacement of team manager, James Allison. His close ties with Phillip Morris, the team’s sponsor of the team, propped him up to his new post.

During his years in Maranello, he has only managed 14 victories in 81 Grand Prix, 71 podiums and 12 pole position. His next destination has not been confirmed yet but there are rumours he might take up the Juventus football team in Turin.

Binotto, the ‘silent’ winner

Binotto has finally dethroned his rival. The Swiss engineer joined Ferrari in 1995, as a test engineer. Later on, from 1997 until 2003, he moved on to the racing team.

 After rising to team chief engineer, he became the technical head for the engine and KERS in 2009. From 2017, he has concentrated his efforts in trying overthrow Mercedes form their position. He hasn’t succeeded yet but he has certainly transformed the team into a very serious contender for the title. No news about Binotto´s successor (Technical Department) in Maranello.

Main image: emperornie via Wikipedia.

Other images: Ferrari.com and YouTube.