the dream team should not be broken, but governed

Mattia Binotto carries all the Ferrari on his shoulders. The Cavallino team principal has responsibilities that go beyond the role of being the head of the Racing Department. Because the reggiano technician is actually the official voice of Maranello. The only one who speaks is the only one who takes responsibility.

Ask yourself what would have happened if the contact between Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc in the Brazilian GP had occurred when Sergio Marchionne or Luca di Montezemolo were in the presidency. We would have seen fire and flames, perhaps with the two pilots urgently summoned to Maranello for a nice "cazziatone" in which they put things in the clear, while now it's up to Mattia to unravel all the complicated skein.

The two pilots "betrayed" the dream of the dream team, thinking of personal interests, rather than the team. They know very well that these muscle tests are used to determine hierarchies that are clear inside and outside the team.

Binotto is a skilled negotiator, he has excellent conciliatory skills and he must be recognized for the great merit of knowing how to build and manage a group that has the ambition to break the absolute hegemony of Mercedes.

This does not mean that it is a soft type, indeed. To hear him speak is always calm, thoughtful, as if nothing has the capacity to make him jump his nerves, but when the cameras are turned off he can be very hard. With him, or against him.

And Vettel, who enjoyed the full support of Mattia, gave up on the most beautiful. Binotto stated that the German would be the number 1 at the beginning of the year: he enjoyed a credit of trust that was not affected by the Canadian events (just remember the defense of Mekies without arguments, but carried on anyway) and by the imperious growth of the boy who is in a hurry to make his way, but like all young people he makes mistakes.

Pure speed is not discussed, as is determination. The seven pole positions of Charles showed the true potential of the SF90 that with only Sebastian would have remained hidden behind the Mercedes. The Heppenheim driver "made peace" with the Rossa from Singapore, when he made his debut the last aerodynamic package with more load that gave Seb that confidence that was missing.

And, behind it, there was a hard work by Binotto who let Leclerc grow, but he protected Vettel's assets (worth 40 million euros a year) so as not to lose it. And the two are respected outside the cockpit, but they hate each other when they put on the helmet. The episodes of the year that bear witness to this do not count with Mattia always acting as peacemaker.

In Brazil the two riders were free to make their race, but the result is that Max Verstappen took third place in the world championship. We needed the presence of the team that did not exist: "When we managed the drivers from the wall during this season, we were criticized – said Binotto after the race – and today we have left them free to run, we will probably be criticized".

Some have asked for interventions on the pilots … "It is not a question of fine or blaming one: today they were free to play for the position, we let them run because we have already consolidated the second place in the constructors' classification, and in fact they were just fighting for their position in the drivers' championship. But being free to confront does not mean making silly mistakes, especially between the two teammates who run for Ferrari. For me today, it was simply a silly action ".

And the most authoritative signatures have been spent asking that in 2020 the hierarchies must be defined, clear. But does it make sense? Why give up a two-pronged attack to counter Lewis Hamilton especially at the start of the season, perhaps with a competitive single-seater?

It makes no sense: it would mean clipping one of the wings. The rise of Charles cannot and must not be blocked. The Monegasque represents the future. Leclerc can count on the very strong support of the Todt family (its manager is Nicolas, son of the FIA ​​president), while Binotto has also protected Vettel's (human and economic) capital.

What would be wrong if Ferrari decided on the rules of engagement (as did Mercedes) and made them respect by radio from the wall. From time to time there may be situations that change in favor of one or the other in the interest of the Cavallino.

In Monza, for example, we saw an insubordination of Leclerc in qualifying and in Russia Vettel disregarded an order from the team to return the position to his partner. The arm wrestling is clear. And it is clear that Binotto at Interlagos did not want the comparison with the two hot. Now it's up to Mattia to put the stakes and set the rules to see who's in the game.

The 2020 season has in fact already begun and there are no conceivable changes in the race (someone would like Ferrari to drive Vettel out, perhaps to take Ricciardo …). Let Binotto work: probably those who have learned the lesson of Interlagos are the team principal, who now must not be left alone. John Elkann and Louis Camilleri strike a blow.