The decisive moment of the season has arrived. Ferrari has six races to achieve the goal that was set at the beginning of this year, to be third in the Constructors’ World Championship. To do this, he must cut McLaren 7.5 points , a goal that seems much more affordable after Leclerc assembled the new engine in Russia and Carlos Sainz did it in Turkey. Both will have an extra ten horses to face the final of the championship. And with the tranquility that this implies, his boss, Mattia Binotto , will stop traveling with the team to focus on 2022.
The Swiss was not at the Turkish Grand Prix and he will not be in Mexico or Brazil either. “ I will skip at least another two races before the end of the season . So, at this moment, I am planning Mexico and Brazil ”, acknowledged Mattia Binotto. “The reason is, as you can imagine, especially in Mexico and Brazil, it is a long journey. While here in Maranello there is a lot to do . It’s a whole team to manage, both the chassis and the power unit and the entire organization. And we are in a critical phase of the development of 2022 , in which time is increasingly upon us, “he continued.
“So I am happy to be here. The way I am managing race weekends, certainly Thursday and Friday, being in the office, I can be more focused on what is happening here in Maranello , while Saturday and Sunday are completely dedicated to the end. racing week, ”added the engineer, whose duties in Turkey were carried out by Laurent Mekies. “I certainly miss the paddock, but Laurent Mekies can do a great job , and I’m very happy with the way he leads the whole team when I’m not there,” he noted of the latter.
Carlos Sainz, a boost for 2022
Already last season Mattia Binotto missed the end of the championship to focus on this year’s car. Despite the limitations that teams have been subjected to in 2021, Ferrari has managed to take a step forward. And it is that last season he was sixth in the Constructors’ World Cup while this is fourth with many options to finish third.
Part of the blame for this step forward that the team has taken is the arrival of Carlos Sainz in Maranello. Although the previous season Leclerc added 98 points to 33 that Sebastian Vettel added, in this Leclerc accumulates 116 and Carlos Sainz half a point more than his teammate.
From a 2-point deficit to a 6-point lead 👀@Max33Verstappen leads after 16 rounds! #TurkishGP 🇹🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/bcFJRshYdR
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 10, 2021
“ We are happy with our line-up . When we set up this pair, not everyone was convinced it would be a success. But we are proud of how they work. Carlos is bringing experience, he is fast and that helps Charles in his growth. And Leclerc is fast and talented, he is constantly improving and having Sainz by his side is important to him ”, boasted Mattia Binotto proudly.
Ferrari, to fight for the title in 2022
If the objective for this season is third place in the Constructors’ World Championship, for the next Ferrari must take a new step forward. “It is no mystery, our goal is and must be to win the Formula 1 World Championship as soon as possible, we are strongly aiming for 2022 that comes with a great regulatory revolution ,” said Mattia Binotto .
“ Fighting for the title next year is a must . We are working hard to reach that goal, not doing so would mean a failure for us ”, added the boss of Carlos Sainz and Leclerc .
Therefore, thinking about 2022, Ferrari has made this new power unit available to both. “Next year’s engine will be different. It was important to bring it this year, it is a leap in technology compared to the one used this year, but we needed this new one to gain experience. But next year’s engine will be new and different ”, advanced a Mattia Binotto who is already focused on the next campaign.
