Ferrari It draws very positive conclusions from its first two races with the new power unit, which incorporates an evolved hybrid system and is closer to what its engine will be in 2022. Leclerc rode it on Russia and Sainz, on Turkey, both with their corresponding penalty; the Monegasque was able to fight for the podium with rhythms similar to those of Mercedes and Red bull, while the Madrilenian made a comeback of eleven places from 19th to 8th, being, at times, the only driver capable of overtaking on the complicated asphalt of Istanbul.
For Mattia Binotto, team boss, the numbers convince: “It gives us a small advantage that I don’t want to quantify in lap time because it depends on the track. It is not just pure power, it is also energy recovery. If we look at qualifying on Saturday with Charles, I think there are a couple of positions that would have been lost without this specification. ” They are less than 10 CV of improvement, according to sources of the team, but significant.
“The objective is to increase our experience in the face of the 2022 engine. That is why we introduced it as soon as possible, taking risks, it is key to get mileage on the track before the engines freeze in 2022 “, the Swiss engineer transmits. Carlos Sainz acknowledges that the new engine “helped him to come back” in Turkey and he is confident that it will unbalance the fight with McLaren in the last six races of the year: “In Istanbul we were faster than McLaren, but in Sochi they were in front. What gives us this engine is the possibility of being closer in those circuits in those who are behind, there will be; and take advantage when we have to be in front. Let’s hope he gives us that extra to make the fight more complicated for them. (McLaren)“.
At Ferrari they recognize that the goal of being third in the championship of builders is on the table. “It is important to have objectives because it helps us to work with pressure. Our objective is to be third at the end of the season, confirmed”, says Binotto, who until now had cleared balls when this hypothesis was raised. They are fourth in the manufacturers standings with 232.5 points to McLaren’s 240, even though the Woking team achieved a double at Monza. They are achievable.
From the factory
Interestingly, Binotto did not travel to Turkey and has revealed that he will not go, in principle, to Mexico or Brazil either. “There is a lot to do in Maranello, a lot, you have to manage an entire chassis and power unit team and we are in a critical phase, times are getting shorter. On Thursday and Friday I am in the office and I can be focused on the office, while Saturday and Sunday I overturn with the grand prize. I miss the conversations in the paddock, but Laurent Mekies does that job and I’m very happy with it. Also, they told me that the flight to Istanbul was quite bumpy, I am glad to miss it. “It is true.