Mattia Binotto: “We are still learning the SF90”

The disappointment was on full display within the Team Ferrari after the Bahrain Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc, sparkling in qualifying and despite an average start, was able to reverse the trend in his favor, regaining the advantage over Sebastian Vettel to dominate the event.

But a mechanical problem (combustion problem on one cylinder) reduced the Monegasque's chances of winning to zero. No more success for the other leader of the Scuderia, since earlier in the race, Vettel had made a mistake, then fighting with Lewis Hamilton. Despite this “setback”, the management of the Italian team remains optimistic for the upcoming events.

“I don’t think we can talk about mistakes (regarding Vettel), proclaims Mattia Binotto, Team Principal of the Scuderia. In the heat of the moment, it’s never easy. A spin can still happen.

We ask our drivers to be at the limit, and that's what Sebastian tried to do today. As he says, we have work to do. We are still learning the car. We have two days of testing here which will be very useful to prepare for China. Let's stay focused and we will progress. »

Binotto, however, wants to be measured in the fact of seeing the SF90s also to their advantage on all the tracks on the calendar, and in the face of competition which will progress almost automatically. “Every race is different. We certainly have a good set, but we know it needs to be developed to be optimized, continues Binotto.

We were fast enough here, but that doesn't mean it will be enough for the rest of the season. In all the teams, everyone works hard to develop the cars, to have developments as quickly as possible in terms of parts or settings. We performed well today, but tomorrow is another day…”

Discover the full report and analysis of the Bahrain Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents on the Sakhir track, in AUTO issue 2210hebdo, available now in digital version and on newsstands.