Marchionne says Arrivabene won't be replaced by Binotto as team boss after recent car failures; Rules out wholesale 2018 changes
Sunday 22 October 2017 19:12, UK
Sergio Marchionne has said that Ferrari's recent failures cannot be pinned on one person and it would be "idiotic" to choose who to blame between team boss Maurizio Arrivabene and technical chief Mattia Binotto.
Ferrari's faltering title challenge has prompted a fresh wave of speculation at the US GP about Arrivabene's future as team principal beyond the end of this season, with suggestions that highly-regarded Binotto or even Marchionne himself could take control for 2018.
Where has Ferrari's title challenge gone wrong?
Marchionne, the head of the Fiat Chrysler empire as well as Ferrari's president, insists the Scuderia "need to win" but added: "I don't think we need to overhaul the team".
Asked by Sky Sports F1 if Arrivabene could be replaced by Binotto, Marchionne replied: "No, both Mattia and Maurizio have been involved in this process.
"Picking one or the other is a bit idiotic. They were both at the table when the operation was going on and technically I'm involved too, I was the chairman. But that's not going to solve the issue.
"We need to win, that's the more important thing. I don't think it's attributable to a single guy. Processes may have not helped and those things are being addressed."
In the wake of engine problems in Malaysia and Japan, Ferrari have hired the former head of quality control in the Fiat car division, Maria Mendoza, but Marchionne says that addition will not prove the first of wholesale changes.
However, he admits Ferrari must "manage" their processes better to avoid similar slip-ups.
"The things that have happened in the last three Asia races have really been a collection of the most unfortunate events," he said.
"With the exception of the technical failures we've had, which are quality driven, everything else was just a fluke and it happened. The likelihood of us repeating those errors is hopefully very small.
"We've made one change to the organisation by bringing in someone who's got experience on the quality side to try and strengthen our skills. The rest of it I think is within the way in which we manage.
"I think we'll be alright, I don't think we need to overhaul the team, I don't think we need to make changes. This team knows how to win and knows how to get it done, just give them the space."
