Briatore backs Ferrari over management change

Former F1 team boss Flavio Briatore believes that Ferrari did the right thing replacing Maurizio Arrivabene with Mattia Binotto. The Scuderia outfit confirmed on Monday that Arrivabene would not return in 2019, while its former chief technical officer would take on the role of team principal.

Ferrari has been within touching distance of the world championship over the last two years, but has always fallen short in the second half of the season. Briatore has backed Arrivabene's sacking, believing that things must change if you don't win.

"This year Ferrari had what it takes to win the championship and it didn't," he said. "When you do not win, things have to change and I imagine that those who manage the Scuderia di Maranello have thought in this way."

In Ferrari's official statement, it said that "all technical areas will continue to report directly to Mattia." However, Briatore is not convinced that the Swiss-born 49-year-old will be able to handle a dual role of team principal and technical director.

"Binotto did an excellent job as technical director. Last year Ferrari had a very good car, very fast and with a different management of its drivers it could have brought the world championship home. We will see what work he will do as a team principal, certainly I do not think he will have the dual role of team principal and technical director."