Ferrari is experiencing a kind of renaissance in 2021. Despite struggling throughout 2020, they are now competing directly with McLaren for third place in the Constructors’ Championship.
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After a successful appearance at the British Grand Prix, team principal Mattia Binotto believes that the challenge for third place is really good.
Mattia Binotto believes Ferrari can finish third ahead of McLaren this season
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Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz put a solid effort throughout the weekend at Silverstone. While Sainz finished in P6, Leclerc secured his first podium in 2021 with P2 between the two Mercedes drivers.
Ferrari’s performance at Silverstone went a long way towards erasing those terrible memories of France last month, where both drivers struggled throughout the race. In fact, both drivers finished outside of the points, while both McLaren drivers finished P5 and P6 this time.
Many expected Ferrari to run into problems again as the new technical regulations come into effect next year and 2020 was one of their worst seasons. However, Binotto believes the Italian team can finish third after the Silverstone weekend.
Formula 1 F1 – Styria Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Styria, Austria – June 25, 2021 Ferraris Carlos Sainz Jr. and Ferraris Charles Leclerc in action during training REUTERS / Leonhard Foeger
He said: “This Ferrari can take third place. It’s our ambition, but our goal is to improve in every way. Third place would be the result of our work. Dreaming is possible, but we also have to be realistic.
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Binotto admits that Hungary bodes well for the team
With the next race in Hungary, Binotto believes the SF21 will be better suited for a track like the Hungaroring. However, he cautioned others not to believe that just because of their pace at Silverstone, they will be as fast as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
“The last races promise good things for our progress and Hungary is a track that suits our car better,” said Binotto. “However, we cannot think of going there and thinking that we are stronger than Verstappen and Hamilton.”
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“We go there to fight because we’ve seen every race hold surprises.”
Although Ferrari admits that its main focus is on 2022, third place is a real possibility for the Italian team. Although they are 15 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ championship, 14 races remain this season. However, with Lando Norris and an improving Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren appears to be getting stronger ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Will the Tifosi see their team narrowing the gap to their British rivals at the Hungaroring? Only time can tell.
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The post “Dreaming is possible” – Binotto presents a new challenge for Ferrari F1 after Leclerc’s podium first appeared on monter-une-startup.
