Binotto: “pilots will be free to fight”

Let's call it parole. In recent years when the Team Ferrari was in a position to achieve good results, it quickly gave racing instructions to favor one of its two drivers, most often Sebastian Vettel. And this from the first Grand Prix.

If last year the question did not arise due to the lack of performance of the car, Ferrari hopes to return to the leading roles in 2021. If it succeeds, Charles Leclerc, long-term spearhead of the Prancing Horse, seems more qualified than the newcomer Carlos Sainz to occupy the number 1 spot.

But Mattia Binotto assures that Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc will have equal treatment. “There is nothing written in Charles' contract that gives him priority,” Binotto said. “Both will be free to fight.

It's important that they don't hang on, that's clear, but I think they'll have equal chances, certainly at the start of the season. »

Then, Ferrari gives itself the right to clearly choose a number 1. “Our top priority, as I have said in the past, is to optimize the team's points” according to Binotto. “It may therefore be that in some races it is important that both somehow help the team's decisions or accept the decisions in order to maximize Ferrari's interest.”

This is the best solution to ensure a good result in the championship according to the main team. “By doing the interest of the team, I think we win and we also help the interest of the drivers.

Later in the season, if there is a clear advantage of one driver over the other and one of the two drivers can achieve a goal that is not possible for the other, I think it will be an open discussion between the two. »

Before talking about instructions, however, Ferrari must return to performance, after its worst season in 40 years.