Ferrari got off to a pretty strong start in the Portuguese Grand Prix. Carlos Sainz overtook Sergio Perez on the first lap of the race for P4. However, the tire problems towards the end of the race meant that the Spaniard ended up in 11th place without having a period next to his name.
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In the meantime, Charles Leclerc managed to score eight very important points for the team with P6. This was because the team switched positions when they saw tire grit affecting Sainz’s race. After a team appointment, the Spaniard allowed Leclerc to overtake him, which in turn enabled him to deliver some crucial points for the Maranello team.
Team order is a sensitive issue in F1, so Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto took this opportunity to subtly examine their former driver Sebastian Vettel.
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 26: Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto and Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari speak in a press conference during the first day of F1 winter testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Bryn Lennon – Formula 1 / Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Speaking of the exchange, he said, “So it really seems to be how he gets the message. I think when you have riders who understand what the priorities are and who support the team, it’s always a pleasure. “
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Ferrari clarifies its position on the driver swap
The decision to swap positions has always sparked some controversy. Sometimes the drivers are not satisfied with such team decisions. In this scenario, Sainz’s speed after the pit stop was severely affected and the team challenged Leclerc to take control because he was faster.
Sainz respected the team’s decision and was committed to the team’s needs. However, Binotto made it clear that the team wanted to avoid these situations in the future.
He said, “Switching positions is something we want to avoid. Things that are usually not great, but sometimes may be necessary.”
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Formula 1 F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – April 15, 2021. Carlos Sainz Jr. of Ferrari at the FIA press conference FIA / Handout via REUTERS
“Today we felt like it was at a different pace and we could see that Carlos was suffering from the grain of the medium. We asked him, he did it immediately, ”he continued.
Communication is an essential part of Formula 1 sport. There is always the potential for friction between teams and individuals trying to maximize their priorities.
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It is therefore important for Ferrari to create an environment in which everyone feels part of the team. This has been quite a problem for them over the past few years and if they do it successfully this year they can hopefully get back to the top three in the championship.
The post Ferrari F1 boss Mattia Binotto undertakes a veiled dig on Sebastian Vettel amid controversy over the appointment of the Carlos Sainz team first appeared on monter-une-startup.
