Leclerc has “everything it takes to fight for the title” according to Binotto

The results are present and the Team smiles. After two trying years, including a nightmarish 2020 season, Ferrari finally sees the end of the tunnel. Winner at the season opener in Bahrain, Charles Leclerc has passed very close to doubling the stakes in Saudi Arabia but came across a Max Verstappen revenge after his abandonment 7 days earlier.

« Of course I feel disappointed because I really wanted to win, declared the main person concerned after arrival. We had two very different single-seater configurations between the Red Bull and Ferraris. We were faster in the corners, but slower on the straights. It was extremely difficult for me to defend my place in front of Max on the straights, but it is what it is. He did a very good job."

How good was Max vs. Charles ?! #SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/e0Tdl9Kpm5

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2022

On the side of Ferrari management, satisfaction with Charles Leclerc is total. The Monegasque allowed the Scuderia to return to victory and return to the top after a very difficult period.

« I think so, replies Mattia Binotto, Ferrari's sports management director, when saying whether the level of his driver allows him to claim the title. But this is not something new or that surprises me. We notably extended it until 2024 because we knew what it was capable of. At the start of the season, he clearly shows that he has everything he needs to fight for the title. He has the talent, the dispositions… He is very strong in racing and I am extremely happy with his progress »

On the right dynamic

Leading the world championship for the first time since 2018, the Reds seem well on their way to remaining at the forefront during the season. But the Maranello team does not want to relive these episodes where the drop in performance was fatal during the year compared to its opponents. So beware of overconfidence.

« First, I must say that maintaining a high level of performance over an entire season is extremely difficult. For us, but for others too, underlines Mattia Binotto. Our opponents proved that they were strong in this game. It is true that in 2017 and 2018, the development phase failed us. Since then, we have improved on the design of our car, our tools, both the simulator, the wind tunnel and the overall methodology, and I think we are much better prepared to deal with the development issue. It should also be noted that compared to this time, there is a budgetary cap in place, and that this will be a key element. We have to make sure we make the right decisions on this, because it could be a decisive aspect of the season. » Slowly but surely, the Scuderia is once again becoming the team it had been in the past. It's up to her to confirm these good impressions to continue fighting for the title until the last Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season.

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