Mattia Binotto: Ferrari is progressing well on its F1 2022 program
Ferrari is already looking towards 2022. Significant work is being done on the next car. Mattia Binotto is confident for the future. Before that, there are several races left to be completed. An upgrade of the current engine is planned during the season.
The time has come for change. Next year, Formula 1 will enter a new era with a complete redesign of the car. The goal is to create a spectacle with more overtaking in 2022. The teams must therefore work hard to be competitive from the beginning of the season. A challenging milestone for some, but it is also an opportunity to perhaps regain past performance, as seen with Ferrari.
Mattia Binotto, the team principal of Ferrari, knows it. The Italian team has no room for error. After several disastrous seasons, with 2020 being the worst year for Scuderia in 40 years, Ferrari must bounce back. Their last championship title dates back to 2007 with Kimi Räikkönen’s victory. That says it all. Since then, the team has never been able to reach that level again. At times, there were glimpses of a comeback, especially in their battle against Mercedes. But the gap was too wide, and Sebastian Vettel never managed to win a world championship with Ferrari, unlike his idol and fellow countryman, Michael Schumacher. Today, the Leclerc-Sainz duo may offer some hope for the future. If and only if the Ferrari 2022 lives up to all expectations. According to Binotto, work is well underway on this new car. It’s not all done yet, but it’s promising at the moment.
« 2022 is approaching and this is when you usually freeze the chassis geometry and the overall concept of the car, the suspension layout, and the cooling layout. Let’s just say the concept is certainly very advanced. While the concept is being finalized, the chassis is in production. It’s time to continue working on the body shape, aerodynamics, wings, etc. »
An engine upgrade this season.
In addition to engine issues, aerodynamics has often been a problem for the Scuderia in recent years. However, the 2021 season is not over yet. There are still many races to go, and the third position is not guaranteed. Ferrari must continue to improve this season. An engine upgrade is planned which will help the team gain more power. If the level of Mercedes and Red Bull is out of reach, it can compete with McLaren. However, the team’s director still does not know during which race this improvement will be implemented. It should be noted that drivers will have to take a penalty in case of an engine change.
« At the moment, there is no race that is decided. We are working very hard to get it ready as soon as possible. We think that doing it this season will be interesting to prepare for next year. I hope it will be in the next races, and very soon.
According to Binotto, there is a huge amount of work behind improving the Ferrari. It’s not about changing one or two parts, but several small things to gain significant horsepower.
« It is a technology change towards hybrid. In order to introduce them, we must first transport the materials and, as they are dangerous materials, we need full approvals and certifications. There are many aspects that need to be addressed for them to be available. »
Before the start of the Russian Grand Prix, Ferrari is trailing by 13.5 points for the third place in the standings, held by McLaren. The historic double by the British team hurts the Scuderia, but the duo Leclerc-Sainz has not said its last word.
