Bahrain GP: Ferrari F1 Boss Binotto Takes a Veiled Dig at Vettel?

Ferrari got their 2021 season off to a solid start. The Italian team was able to get both its cars within the points positions in Bahrain. This position was a real luxury for the team during its shambolic 2020 season. Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto was very happy with both drivers and felt he can trust them to get more double points finishes in 2021.

The Italian team had a horrific 2020 season, as it suffered from a drastic fall in engine power. Despite that, Charles Leclerc got the car in the points positions in most races with his talent rather than help from the car. His then-teammate Sebastian Vettel struggled tremendously with the car, due to which him finishing in the points was the exception rather than the norm.

Ferrari chief takes subtle swipe at Vettel with trust comment

In a post-race interview (translated via Google), Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto was very impressed with how the drivers did in Bahrain.

“Happy with the two drivers, finally, we can count on both. Carlos had a good pace, Charles also. We are united to improve, they will get sensations and indications also in view of the next races. We are all focused on 2022, even if we will propose some development this year.

“This car will give us satisfaction, but you have to work. We had seen that the SF21 performs on the track as we expected and this is the basis, also for next year. We made some improvements, yesterday’s qualifying is a starting point to do even better.”

The Italian was very impressed with the bond shared by both the drivers and believes that it will propel them to greater heights.

“It is very positive that the two drivers are working together, Carlos is getting in well and working together with Charles,” continued Binotto. “Knowing that we can count on two drivers is important, as is team spirit.”

Can the Italian build on the encouraging display in Bahrain?

The team will be happy with the pace the two cars and drivers were able to demonstrate throughout the race weekend. The team will be especially impressed by its qualifying pace. Saturday’s qualifying saw Leclerc finish P4, only behind the superior cars of Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Valtteri Bottas.

He also finished an impressive P6 in the race. This was after he put up a great fight to the superior Red Bull of Sergio Perez. Eventually, he ceded track position to the Mexican.

Carlos Sainz also engaged in a few interesting on-track battles with idol Fernando Alonso. As a result, he finished an impressive P8 on his Ferrari debut. At the moment, the team will be vindicated with its decision to move on from Vettel. He finished an underwhelming 15th on the grid out of 16 classified cars.

Both drivers will be looking to improve upon these performances. And help the team in its quest to finish as the best of the rest in the championship.