‘We know that we cannot repeat such a bad result’: Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto admits team must improve from their embarrassing 2020 season as they launch 2021 campaign with new partnership of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
- Ferrari came sixth last year – their worst constructors’ performance since 1980
- Sebastian Vettel has now left after six years and been replaced by Carlos Sainz
- Charles Leclerc came fourth for Ferrari in 2019, while Sainz came sixth last year
- Mattia Binotto is eyeing improvement – but has downplayed a title tilt in 2021
- Kimi Raikkonen was the last driver to win a world title for Ferrari back in 2007
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has admitted that the iconic Italian manufacturer needs to improve on their disastrous performance in 2020 as they head into the new campaign with a new driving partnership.
Carlos Sainz has left McLaren to replace Sebastian Vettel, who has recently joined the rebranded Aston Martin team to partner Lance Stroll.
Ferrari have historically been the dominant force in the sport and have won 16 constructors’ championships, more than any other manufacturer.
Mattia Binotto is hoping for better after Ferrari had their worst Formula One season since 1980
Sebastian Vettel left the Italian manufacturer after six seasons to join Aston Martin for 2021
However, last year’s sixth-placed finish was their worst since 1980 as Leclerc and Vettel failed to top the podium at any race and notched up just 131 points, compared to the 504 points the pair picked up in 2019.
Binotto is fully aware that the pressure is on Ferrari to do much better during the upcoming campaign.
‘Certainly last year was a big, big disappointment. We know that we cannot repeat such a bad result; we know that we need somehow to do better in 2021.
‘That is what I’m expecting,’ he added. ‘I think it’s really a matter of mentality: team mentality, drivers’ mentality, and as team principal, no doubt I’m fully aware of the responsibility I’ve got, being part of such a team.
‘I feel… not pressure, but I feel the responsibility, as well the pride, and I know that, as I said, initially we simply need to do better, and that’s part of my first responsibility.’
Leclerc will be hoping to replicate his fourth-placed finish achieved in 2019 in his debut Ferrari season, while Carlos Sainz managed a joint-career-best constructors’ finish of sixth last year with McLaren, matching his position of the previous season with the British team.
Carlos Sainz has moved from McLaren to form a new driver partnership with Charles Leclerc
Practice for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix is on March 26 and comes a little more than two weeks after Ferrari’s car for the season, the SF21, is unveiled on March 10 before pre-season training at the Bahrain International Circuit between March 12-14.
Despite featuring an all-new power unit which will also be used by Alfa Romeo and Haas, Binotto is playing down expectations that the new car will be a title-challenging one, with the team having last won the constructors’ title in 2008 and last won the drivers’ title in 2007, when Kimi Raikkonen saw off a fierce challenge from rookie Lewis Hamilton.
‘What I think will [help us recover in 2021] is our will to win,’ said Binotto. ‘I’m not saying that we will win – I think that we need to be realistic.
Ferrari’s last drivers’ championship came in 2007 when Kimi Raikkonen beat Lewis Hamilton
‘There are cars that have been very, very strong last year, and with the car [development] being partially frozen, they will be certainly very strong again in 2021.
‘But I think ‘will to win’ is our commitment, our intention, our focus, being aware that each single detail counts, and I think determination will be again important, and [making] progress.’