(Motorsport) Scuderia Ferrari have denied reports that team principal Mattia Binotto will be sacked, saying that they are “totally without foundation". The Italian manufacturer is the most successful team in Formula 1 history and have had a mixed season, going toe-to-toe with Red Bull Racing at the beginning of the season but suffering from strategy and reliability issues consistently. Ferrari have failed to win a single race since July and could potentially lose second place in the Constructors Standings to Mercedes if the results don’t go their way in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

The strategy and reliability issues that Ferrari has been plagued with has meant that Binotto’s future has come under scrutiny with La Gazzetta dello Sport claiming that Ferrari chief executive John Elkann has decided a change is necessary. However, the team on Tuesday released a statement that said “In relation to speculation in certain media regarding Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto's position, Ferrari states that these rumours are totally without foundation." 

In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport before Ferrari’s home race at Monza, chief executive John Elkann said he had "great faith" in Binotto but insisted that all elements of the team need improvement. The team have failed to win a race since then and Max Verstappen has gone on to win his second World Championship while Red Bull Racing sealed the Constructors Championship as well. Scuderia Ferrari is traditionally known for keeping management changes a secret and leaks have been few and far between, which is why speculation about Binotto’s sacking and the appointment of Fred Vasseur seemed like a very surprising situation. 

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