Ferrari Team Principal Binotto Leaving after Troubled Season

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - November 19, 2022 Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - November 19, 2022 Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto. (Reuters)
TT

Ferrari Team Principal Binotto Leaving after Troubled Season

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - November 19, 2022 Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - November 19, 2022 Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto. (Reuters)

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto is leaving the team at the end of next month after four years in which they often struggled to keep up with Formula One's leaders.

Binotto has been with Ferrari for 28 years and took over the team principal role in 2019.

The team was winless in 2020 and 2021, but started 2022 promisingly as Charles Leclerc won two of the opening three races, only for his title challenge to fizzle out as Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the championship with ease.

Ferrari came under criticism for blunders in its pit and tire strategies during Binotto's time in charge. A botched pit stop at the Dutch Grand Prix in September saw only three tires initially fitted to Carlos Sainz Jr.'s car and was seen as a symbol of Ferrari's difficulties.

“With the regret that this entails, I have decided to conclude my collaboration with Ferrari,” Binotto said in a statement, adding he felt “serenity” at having done his best.

Ferrari did not immediately name a successor but said its choice “is expected to be finalized in the new year.”



Former Real Madrid, PSG Goalkeeper Keylor Navas Joins Newell's Old Boys on Free Transfer

 Keylor Navas during the a match REUTERS/Mayela Lopez/File Photo
Keylor Navas during the a match REUTERS/Mayela Lopez/File Photo
TT

Former Real Madrid, PSG Goalkeeper Keylor Navas Joins Newell's Old Boys on Free Transfer

 Keylor Navas during the a match REUTERS/Mayela Lopez/File Photo
Keylor Navas during the a match REUTERS/Mayela Lopez/File Photo

Former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas joined the Argentinian club Newell's Old Boys on a free transfer on Wednesday, The AP reported.

The 38-year-old Costa Rican, who recently retired from international soccer, won three Champions League titles with Real but has not played since the end of his stint in Paris last May.

“Thank God we are returning to the pitch," Navas said on his social media accounts. "I feel ready, willing and very happy to take this new challenge.”

Newell's, Lionel Messi's boyhood club, is based in Rosario, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northeast of Buenos Aires.

Newell's called Navas “an international legend” on social media. He has played in the last three World Cups for his country.

The length of his deal with Newell's has not been disclosed.