Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has fired a warning to Red Bull and vowed that his side will look to win races in 2022 and fight at the front of the grid. The Scuderia endured their worst Constructors’ Championship finish for 40 years in 2020, but they bounced back to pinch third in the standings last term.
The famous Italian team beat McLaren to secure third-place behind Mercedes and Red Bull, finishing as ‘best of the rest’. Charles Leclerc and Ferrari new boy Carlos Sainz both impressed in 2021, and Binotto even rated the duo both eight out of 10 for their performances across their improved campaign.
After Max Verstappen won the Drivers’ Championship in dramatic circumstances, Binotto insisted Ferrari will look to return to the summit after struggling since they last competed for the title in 2018. “We can’t say we’re happy, and we’re not happy to see other people partying,” Binotto told Sky Italia.
“At Ferrari, getting back on top is our responsibility. “For Ferrari, winning should always be the goal.” Ferrari have not won a race since the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix, when Sebastian Vettel controversially stole victory from the clutches of teammate Leclerc. Binotto believes the team have needed to be patient as they plot their route back to the front of the grid.
“These two years have taught us the fatigue of not being able to compete for the best positions, and patience,” Binotto added. “After all, we can’t say we are satisfied, and we are not happy to see others celebrating. “So I say fatigue, patience and when it’s important, to improve in order to reach these goals and objectives of ours.”
Ferrari have not won a Drivers’ Championship since Kimi Raikkonen claimed the title in 2007, while they have been without a Constructors’ Championship since 2008. Binotto admitted the team need to get back to the top of Formula 1 and there were signs of encouragement and improvement with several podiums for Sainz and Leclerc – and even two pole positions for the latter in 2021.
Despite this, Binotto emphasised the aim to compete at every round of the championship in 2022 after the regulations come in and hopefully shake up the order. F1 will return in 2022 for pre-season testing on February 23 before the opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 20.
