Breaking news

Formula 1

Ferrari to adopt McLaren-style technical structure

Ferrari has no plans to sign a big-name star to replace James Allison as its technical chief, with team boss Maurizio Arrivabene hinting about a different approach to its technical structure instead.

Jonathan Noble Franco Nugnes

Edited: Aug 3, 2016, 12:00 PM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Jock Clear, Ferrari Engineering Director with Maurizio Arrivabene, Ferrari Team Principal on the grid

James Allison, Ferrari Chassis Technical Director

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF16-H

(L to R): Joe Custer, Stewart Haas Racing Vice President with Mattia Binotto, Ferrari Race Engine Manager

(L to R): Guenther Steiner, Haas F1 Team Principal with Mattia Binotto, Ferrari Race Engine Manager

Maurizio Arrivabene, Ferrari Team Principal

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF16-H

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari SF16-H

The Maranello-based outfit has suffered a blow with the departure of Allison, and is under pressure to turn around its campaign after slipping behind Red Bull in the constructors' championship.

But although Allison's immediate successor Mattia Binotto does not have extensive experience of aerodynamics nor chassis development, Arrivabene has said that a new approach to its technical operation means he is the right man to lead things.

"He will work with the team to help improve the car," said Arrivabene. "All the technicians talk to each other, but the difference is very important: there will be no more of 'this is 'Mr X's' car'.

"There will be a car that will be the result of the co-operation between all the working groups involved in the project."

Looking within

While Ferrari had considered roles for Ross Brawn and Toro Rosso's James Key, neither have shown any interest in getting involved at Maranello.

Arrivabene has explained that the plan now is for a different way of doing things that will increase the input from all its engineers.

There will be a more horizontal structure, with the technical operation headed up by several key figures – similar to what McLaren has with Peter Prodromou, Tim Goss and Matt Morris.

"We are modifying our technical structure but we'll complete this operation only when we understand if we already have in the team engineers with untapped capacity," said Arrivabene, in reference to a push to see if there are junior staff members who can be promoted.

"I think that we have some talent. The question I ask myself though is: why, if you have these skilled people, does their talent not come out? If you have good engineers but they spend time on [less important jobs] if it clear that we are losing important opportunities.

"Our role is to show the target, and to make sure that the objectives are to be achieved. If the concepts are clear, I think we don't need to look outside Maranello for new engineers. We are not looking for the mega-talent.

"When there is a figure like a mega-talent, it is normal for all the technical team to follow what he says. But we have not this kind of man. We are working on a new horizontal structure and the coordinator is Mattia Binotto."

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Hulkenberg expecting “intense” fight with Williams and McLaren

Next article Tech analysis: Toro Rosso's "B-spec" car

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

Jonathan Noble



Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours

Formula 1

Formula 1

Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours



The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season

Formula 1

Formula 1

The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season



Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress

Formula 1

Formula 1

Australian GP

Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress

More from

Ferrari



Charles Leclerc reacts to Ferrari fear: 'We know what line not to cross'

Formula 1

Formula 1

United States GP

10 h

Charles Leclerc reacts to Ferrari fear: 'We know what line not to cross'



Why Ferrari failed to deliver on its hype in F1's United States GP qualifying

Formula 1

Formula 1

United States GP

Why Ferrari failed to deliver on its hype in F1's United States GP qualifying



What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 United States GP

Formula 1

United States GP

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 United States GP

Latest news



Winners and losers from F1's United States Grand Prix

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

United States GP

1 h

Winners and losers from F1's United States Grand Prix



Kyle Larson all but clinches NASCAR championship with Dega win

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Talladega II

1 h

Kyle Larson all but clinches NASCAR championship with Dega win



Ricky Stenhouse Jr. explains why he lost Talladega Cup race

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Talladega II

1 h

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. explains why he lost Talladega Cup race



Denny Hamlin blasts Next Gen as "sports car not meant to be running 200mph”

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Talladega II

2 h

Denny Hamlin blasts Next Gen as "sports car not meant to be running 200mph”

Feature

Discover prime content



A strategic masterclass: How Kimi Antonelli put himself on the cusp of F1 title at the US GP

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

A strategic masterclass: How Kimi Antonelli put himself on the cusp of F1 title at the US GP



How Verstappen and Antonelli were both “surprised” in United States GP qualifying

Formula 1

United States GP

By Stuart Codling

How Verstappen and Antonelli were both “surprised” in United States GP qualifying



What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 United States GP

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 United States GP



Max Verstappen’s words explained: Why Red Bull’s turnaround is so different this time

Formula 1

United States GP

By Ronald Vording

Max Verstappen’s words explained: Why Red Bull’s turnaround is so different this time

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe