Despite a tough 2020 campaign in which Ferrari was hampered by a poorly performing engine and a towing car, the company believes it can make good profits in 2021.
Team boss Mattia Binotto sees no reason why the team should not return to its historic position as a regular top 3 team.
“The team has been able to finish up to a third over the past five years,” he said. “So I think the third is not entirely impossible. I think that should at least be our minimum goal for the next season. “
However, Binotto is aware that the complexity of the F1 token system could give rivals such as Racing Point (to be renamed Aston Martin) and AlphaTauri an advantage in 2021.
F1 has rolled out a token system for next year where teams can choose what to spend development resources on.
Teams are limited to two tokens, but a quirk of the rules means that outfits that power customer gears and suspension – like Racing Point and AlphaTauri – can upgrade those parts without a token.
Rival teams tried to prevent this situation from happening but they were unsuccessful and that has led Ferrari to be aware of how it could hamper its own form.
“We have restrictions in our development for the next year, that is the token system,” said Binotto of Ferrari’s prospects for 2021.
“With only two tokens, we have to try somehow to address or modify this year’s weaknesses.
“But there are teams that are currently not limited by tokens. They have free tokens, Racing Point and AlphaTauri. So these teams have an advantage, a competitive advantage [compared] for ourselves and other teams, when it comes to development, we have to be fully aware.
“Then, other teams [McLaren] will change the engine manufacturer and possibly have an upgrade in terms of engine performance, which again we need to be aware of.
“So the competitors will be very strong next year as well. But as I said, I believe that we have a strong team here in Maranello and I fully trust that we can do a better job compared to today. “
Also read:
While he believes Ferrari has the potential to finish in the top three next year, Binotto does not see an opportunity as a Mercedes challenger yet.
“I think we have to be realistic,” he said. “The gap to the best team is very large today. I obviously think who won [this season] will be very strong again next year.
“I don’t think they brought a lot of developments off the ground during the season because they certainly focused on 2021. So I expect this team to be strong, very strong next year as well. I guess there is no surprise. To say that we can be back on track next year and fight for the championship would be unrealistic. “
The post Ferrari is suspicious of the “free tokens” of the top three rival teams first appeared on monter-une-startup.
