Formula One: Teams confirm principal departures as 2022 season concludes

The Formula One season has concluded for the year, but that certainly hasn’t stopped the drama in the Paddock with multiple teams confirming the departure of team principles this week.

Scuderia Ferrari announced the departure of Mattia Binotto. The Italian spent 27 years at the team, contributing greatly to the success of the Prancing Horse. Binotto was appointed as team principal in January 2019 and led Ferrari back to second place this past year, which gives the Tifosi hope for next season under new team boss, Frederic Vassuer.

The 54-year-old Frenchman brings a wealth of motorsport knowledge to Ferrari, most recently as team principal of Alfa Romeo-Sauber. Vassuer was at the helm of Alfa Romeo’s Formula One team this past season and guided the Swiss team to a sixth place finish, their best result in a decade. This no doubt impressed the directors at Ferrari who believe Vassuer is the man to lead them back to glory.

Alfa Romeo-Sauber announced the appointment of Andreas Seidl, the team principal of Mclaren Racing, as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Sauber Group. Seidl has history with Sauber as Head of Track Operations and begins his new role in 2023. Seidl been tasked with the growth of the organisation as they continue to make their mark in the market, and in due course will help appoint a new team principal to replace the outgoing Vassuer. Finn Rausing, the Holding AG Chairman of the Board of Directors said: “It is an immense pleasure to welcome Andreas Seidl back to Hinwil as CEO of the Sauber Group. Andreas’s experience is second-to-none and he brings to Sauber Group a clear understanding of what is required to achieve sustained success.”

Mclaren Racing announced Andrea Stella Seidl’s replacement. The 51-year-old Italian was promoted from the role of Executive Race Director and the continuity means the Woking-based team won’t “miss a beat” in competing for future championships. Mclaren Racing CEO, Zak Brown said: “We won’t miss a beat versus introducing someone from the outside because it takes quite some time to get up to speed.”

Similarly, the legendary British team, Williams Racing find themselves down on their luck, following their last place finish in the championship, their fourth in five years. This result has prompted the departures of team boss Jost Capito and Technical Director Francois-Xavier Demaison.

Capito was appointed team principal of Williams at the tail end of the 2020 season and in his first full season in charge, he led Williams to an eighth place finish in the championship, which was impressive due to the gulf in resources with other teams. The owners, Dorilton Capital were hoping the team could maintain the upwards trend, however, now face the challenge of an overhaul and finding the right person to restore Williams to the formidable force they once were.