Home

F1

“This Penalized Us” – Binotto Explains Where it All Went Wrong for Ferrari This Season

Published 11/07/2020, 1:17 AM EST

Follow Us

via Reuters

Unless one has been living under a rock, one would know that this has been the worst campaign Scuderia Ferrari has put forth in about 40 years. The Maranello-based outfit had gone into the season with a deficient power unit and an even worse chassis. As you’d expect, the results have been pretty dismal.

Much has been made of the Prancing Horse’s problems this campaign. Even team boss Mattia Binotto has admitted that the team fudged their project. However, he believes that a combination of factors have resulted in their downfall.

He said, “We got our project wrong, looking for a path of development that turned out to be wrong.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“Then COVID arrived, stopping (work on the car), and this penalized us for the whole season.”

via Reuters

“We had to comply with the measures that caused nine weeks of work stoppage, plus immediately afterwards it was decided to freeze the 2020 projects. I see this season in a different context than normal but we will be able to react.”

The Maranello-based outfit are currently in 6th place on the Constructors’ championship standings. With only 103 points across 13 races, 31 points adrift of 5th placed Racing Point.

Things could have been a lot worse, were it not for Charles Leclerc and his ability to outperform the car, notching two podiums and a number of other impressive outings.

However, despite regulations permitting major development for next year, Binotto is optimistic of a much better showing in 2021.

Ferrari set high targets for the 2021 season

Binotto said, “We have very challenging goals for 2021. I see a very united team that wants to do well. It feels the weight of responsibility and the desire to redeem itself.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

via Reuters

The Ferrari team principal went on to elaborate on why he is rather optimistic. He said, “Next year we will have a completely new engine that is running well on the test bench.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

“We have ideas about the car. But we can’t work miracles with windtunnel hours reduced. But I’m sure the team is alive and we’ll take it a step further.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“Realistically Ferrari will not be able to fight for the world title in 2021. Next year we have to go back fighting regularly for the podium. That’s our goal.”

If Binotto’s statements are to be believed, there may be a silver lining in sight for the Tifosi. Although it might not be enough to make the disgruntled fans happy, it would be some solace after an incredibly tough season.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Ronan Carvalho

1,063Articles

One take at a time

Ronan Carvalho is senior F1 author for Essentiallysports. Ronan is currently pursuing his Journalism degree from St. Xavier's College.
Show More>