Formula 1 Team Scuderia Ferrari has confirmed Maurizio Arrivabene has been replaced as team principal by Mattia Binotto, who steps up from his role as technical director.

"After four years of untiring commitment and dedication, Maurizio Arrivabene is leaving the team. The decision was taken together with the company’s top management after lengthy discussions related to Maurizio’s long term personal interests as well as those of the team itself,” the team said in a statement. “Ferrari would like to thank Maurizio for his valuable contribution to the team’s increasing [competitiveness] over the past few years, and wish him the best for his future endeavors.”

Binotto first joined Ferrari in 1995 as a test engine engineer. After later serving as chief engineer, Binotto became head of engine and KERS before being promoted to chief operating officers of the power unit division in 2014. In 2016, he took over a Ferrari’s technical director until his recent promotion.

In related news, Ferarri has added Pascal Wehrlein as a new development driver for 2019. The Scuderia team was left a little light when development drivers Antonio Giovinazzi and Daniil Kvyat agreed to return in 2019 with Sauber and Toro Rosso, respectively.

As part of the new role, Wehrlein is anticipated to carry out extensive work in the simulator to assist race drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc.

For more information, visit the Formula 1 Ferrari team page here.