Yet given Binotto's methodical equanimity, and with a full winter to stamp his mark across the entire team, 2020 could be the year Ferrari finally steps out of the shadow that has been cast by Mercedes since the dawn of the current hybrid era in 2014.
"I like to look at the rationale of the facts, to see what happens through reasons, cause and consequence, and always try to build from there," said Binotto.
"I know with F1 there is nothing magic in there. It's about us investing for the medium and long-term, with short-term a consequence of how good you've done in investing for the future at the time.
"What's important, as Ferrari today, is looking at the future, that we are making the right decisions for the medium and long-term and being capable of managing the current situation with calmness because the team needs to stay focused on what we are doing, and hopefully there will be a time when things come back to us."
Under Binotto, it would appear Ferrari has a leader who can finally end its long wait for a title, just as he and the team finally ended its Italian Grand Prix drought.
Photography courtesy of Motorsport Images.