Mattia Binotto set to face Ferrari sacking 'within hours' after disappointing season

Mattia Binotto is expected to lose his position as Ferrari team principal within hours, according to the Italian newspaper . It is understood that Binotto and Ferrari CEO John Elkann are in talks over release clauses with an official announcement said to be imminent.

Binotto is also said to have left Ferrari after joining the team in 1995. His departure was due to a lack of trust from Elkann, with Corierre claiming the couple's relationship has been cold for a long time.

It is reported that Binotto told close friends that he was too tired to continue his work at the Prancing Horse. Binotto's deal was due to expire at the end of 2023, but the boss has faced questions over his position since Ferrari's title bid evaporated.

Alfa Romeo boss Frederic Vasseur still seems to be the favorite to replace the Italian. However, Ferrari denied the speculation ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last weekend, saying the reports were false.

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A statement read: "With regard to speculation in certain media regarding the position of Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto, Ferrari declares that these rumors are completely unfounded." Last week, the French newspaper claimed that Binotto and Charles Leclerc had not spoken terms since the British Grand Prix.

The Scuderia have been accused of making a series of strategic mistakes that cost Leclerc a chance to fight Max Verstappen for the title. Elkann also put pressure on Binotto during the Italian Grand Prix by demanding improvements from his team.

Elkann said: "We have to keep improving and that goes for the mechanics, the engineers, the drivers and of course the whole management team, including the team principal. We have seen that there are still too many mistakes when it comes to reliability, driving and strategy."

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But Binotto stressed he was not concerned in Abu Dhabi after revealing he had received assurances from Elkann. Binotto told Sky Sports F1: "Obviously it's not for me to decide, but I'm pretty relaxed.

"The reason why I am relaxed is that I always have open, frank and constructive discussions with my bosses, with my president, not only on the short term but on the medium and long term.

"More than that, if I look back on the season, yes, we had some ups and downs and today we weren't the fastest car on track, but we achieved our main objective of be back and competitive in the new car era of 2022."