The Ferrari F1-75 has been very strong since Formula 1 pre-season action began, with Charles Leclerc leading the timesheets on Thursday.
The Italian team had a big lead in the first half of 2021 after benefiting from minor technical changes. Furthermore, his sixth place finish in the constructors’ championship the year before allowed him to spend much more time working in the wind tunnel and using CFD than his theoretical rivals.
Third position at the end of the 2021 season also put the Ferrari team ahead of Mercedes and Red Bull in the table that limits the time each team has to do aerodynamic tests, until the next restart in July.
Asked by Motorsport.com about the benefits they had gained from this rule, Ferrari director Binotto downplayed any advantage.
“If you look at the amount, it’s really just a couple more sessions throughout the year, maybe a tenth a lap, if you do very well,” he said.
“Then it all depends on how you manage priorities, how good you are and how efficient you get through your activities.”
“And if I look at Mercedes and Red Bull , there is no doubt that as a team they are very, very strong. And I think the regulations are in place to help those who are less efficient.
“In general, I think that as Ferrari, it was important for us to focus on our big priority, which was the 2022 car. We always said that it was a good opportunity and now we are on the road, trying to learn as much about the car. The results of the next months they will give us an answer, not the first two days of testing”.
“Before we see the full potential of these cars, I think it could take at least four or five races, because there is a lot to learn and adapt to. Even the first race will be a learning situation in Bahrain, with the heat and a kind of very different track.
“We can only wait and see what happens. I honestly think we are not the strongest team. We are still the chasers, not the favourites.”
Binotto acknowledged that pre-season testing in Barcelona had started well for Ferrari so far, but said there was still a lot to learn.
“It’s very early, but yeah, it’s always good to have consistency when you’re out on the track, because it’s important to collect a lot of data to learn about the new car.”
“In general, on the pace, I think it’s very, very early to judge. What I can see is that we are all very close, which was one of the objectives of the new rules. I think it is very impressive to see that we are all so close. Close from the start.”
“And if you look at the cars, they are all very different. I think nobody expected so many differences between the design and the shapes. But again, when you look at the lap time, yes, obviously there will be some difference, but not as big as it looks. in the designs.
The Ferrari director said he was proud of the new F1-75 and especially the way his team had bounced back from recent frustrations.
“I think we have a great team, very united. In recent years there have been difficult times for us. Especially 2020, but also 2021. And when you are in a situation like that, stay united, keep working hard and give your best. It’s never easy.”
“When I look at our new car, I think it’s very nice. Maybe not as fast as we would like for now, but it’s beautiful. I’m proud of the team itself, it’s really a pleasure to work with all of them. I believe in the way we’re working , in a way it is our vision”, concluded Mattia Binotto .
