Ferrari’s momentum is very important for F1 2022, says Binotto

The Italian has defeated McLaren in the battle for third place in the constructors’ championship and is 31.5 points clear in just three remaining races.

Although the pace of current cars will have little impact for next season as the team’s ground effect concepts will be entirely new designs for 2022, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says there are a number of important factors that will carry over – so very much are important to get right away.

“I think what happens is pretty relevant,” said Binotto when asked by Autosport whether the current shape has any value for 2022.

“That is especially true for what happens in terms of race management, but of course also for a new driver, Carlos [Sainz] Getting used to our car, our teamwork.

“I think again about the strategy, the way we work on tire management, all the models that we have developed and, together with the drivers, how we do it. I think overall we have improved through the season in terms of overall race management, race after race, and that will be very useful in terms of next year,

“And it’s not just the race management. It is the overall interaction of the entire team that is important and I think we are doing well looking towards 2022.

“The car will certainly be different, but in that regard, the goal, the goals and what we are doing in the simulator compared to what we have today, is all part of the development process, the interaction between the engineers, Guys, drivers.

“You’re still trying to improve and I think we’ve improved all season.”

Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari SF21

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

While Ferrari’s recent move forward with its engine helped overtake McLaren in the F1 standings, Binotto is still cautious about the possibility of some tough challenges facing it in the events to come.

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“I think every single race can be different,” he said. “Now we are going to Qatar, where we have never driven in the past. There are a lot of corners so we may have trouble with tire wear again.

“I think we have to prepare very well for that. I think Qatar may be a different picture from the previous one.

“We have a lead of 31.5 points, that is important, but I think that we start at a similar level of performance in every single race and it is up to us to prove that we are ahead.”