[Auto / Moto] F1. Ferrari, Binotto: "We must honor the uniform we wear"

[#Hassan.]

«Since I was a child I have been a Ferrari fan, and my commitment must be maximum, like yours. We are part of a team that matters more than us. We are interpreters of an enormous, moving passion, but we are also veterans of disappointments that must not be repeated. We have an imperative: to represent Ferrari, to honor the uniform we wear , because the Prancing Horse is the emblem of Italian excellence in the world. I expect fewer and fewer mistakes, more quality and healthy competitive joy »: these are the thoughtful, profound words that Ferrari team principal, Mattia Binotto , has chosen to set the stage for Ferrari's F1 2021 season. 

Ferrari's first official 2021 chapter in Formula 1 took place today, with the presentation of the team . An appetizer that in Maranello they wanted to offer fans before the main course - this year's single-seater, the SF21 - to be served cold, almost like a revenge, on 10 March, a few days before the pre-season tests in Bahrain. And, regardless of the car, there are indeed some news. First of all, the presence in the team of a fresh face, that of Carlos Sainz,  who replaces Sebastian Vettel alongside the man of the future of the Red, Charles Leclerc. But changes were also made to the organization chart, in particular as regards the technical area, with the identification of "clear roles and responsibilities" in four macro areas.

And, of no small importance, the team principal Mattia Binotto sees his baggage of responsibility lightened, with the commercial aspect transferred to Nicola Boari. All to the advantage of supervising the crucial work in view of 2022, a task to which Binotto will give priority over the presence on the track at each GP. Binotto - it was already announced last year - will not always be on the circuit. The racing director, Laurent Mekies , will take his place , assisted by the deus ex machina of strategies, the Spaniard  Iñaki Rueda, in the role of sports director. In short, not insignificant jolts, which in turn could be an appetizer of a more substantial change. But here we enter the field of suppositions. Better then to focus on the declarations. 

 

Starting with those of Captain Binotto: «2021 will be an important year, with many challenges. Our car comes from last year's car, and there is a budget cap, to be tackled with determination. It is a non-trivial exercise. 2022 will instead see a completely new car. We will face a long and bumpy path. We will make mistakes, even unacceptable ones. But we must learn to grow, with the right spirit. As for an orchestra, the team also needs the best instruments. Not only thanks to Ferrari, but also to our partners. On Charles and Carlos we want to found our future ».

The newcomer, Carlos Sainz , has a love for motorsport that goes back a long way. «My passion for racing started when I was a child. When I was two I got on my car, thanks to my father. As a child, I fell in love with F1 seeing Alonso and Schumacher at the Spanish GP ». And now, a pivotal moment in his career, with that Ferrari that « changes your life when you sign . In December I met all the people in the factory, engineers, mechanics. The first time you put on the red jumpsuit is an unforgettable moment ». The main objective is clear: « In five years, I want to be world champion. Driving for the most important team in the world is a great responsibility. Now we are trying to improve, and teamwork is needed. And when the results arrive, we will be even more determined for the future. For Charles there is respect, but also the desire to beat him ».

Even Charles Leclerc seen disrupt the lives coming to Ferrari. «I thought I knew what it meant to sign with Ferrari, but that's not the case. Here everything is optimized for performance, it's a unique atmosphere . I can't complain about my job, 99% of the time I do it with a smile on my face. There is maximum attention to detail, everyone pushes to the limit. I see F1 as a team sport, not an individual one. And Ferrari is a family ». Leclerc seems to have grown up after a not easy 2020: «I worked a lot on tire management, I try to be just the right aggressive. Every mistake has great consequences, we cannot afford to lose focus even for a moment ».

The crossroads of his experience in Ferrari, however, was another. «Everything changed after Monza 2019 - says Charles - it was the best for me. People stop me more on the street, and you can feel the passion of the fans in Italy. Ferrari cheering is almost like a religion in Italy, it is a great honor to be part of this family ». A blind passion, like that of the most tormented and deepest loves. And Mattia Binotto , concluding his speech at the beginning of 2021, addresses directly to  "those who look at us and judge us every Sunday", with a single word. Courage. Like what Ferrari will have to find to revive its fortunes. 

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