Report: Arrivabene to be replaced by Binotto at Ferrari

According to reports in Italy, it appears a wind of change is sweeping through the halls of Maranello with Ferrari opting to overhaul their management structure ahead of the 2019 F1 season…

Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Monday that Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene will no longer lead the team, with Technical Director Mattia Binotto drafted in to replace him.

It is believed there were tensions between Arrivabene and Binotto last season and these grew as Ferrari's title challenge evaporated. The chances of a leadership change increased when John Elkann took over as Ferrari president, following Sergio Marchionne’s death.

Binotto has risen through the Ferrari ranks over the last two decades with many crediting the Italian team’s power unit gains to him, after he took over as power unit Chief Operating Officer ahead of 2015.

The reports come after Ferrari again lost out to Mercedes in the battle for both drivers’ and constructors’ championships last year, despite having the best package on the grid for the opening half of the season.

Ferrari lost their way with development after the summer break, allowing Mercedes to pull clear in the constructors' race and Lewis Hamilton to beat Sebastian Vettel to clinch a fifth drivers' crown.

La Gazzetta dello Sport said official confirmation of the move could come as early as later on Monday.