Mattia Binotto Feels Ferrari Can Get P3 Over McLaren In 2021 F1 Season

In the aftermath of the mega engine update which also resulted in a grid penalty for Carlos Sainz Jr at the Turkish GP, Ferrari F1 boss Mattia Binotto has revealed that now the team has a car that is equipped for competing for P3 in the constructor's championship. At the Turkish GP, Charles Leclerc came P4 narrowly missing out on a podium finish as he gambled with a late pitstop in a bid to win the race and Sainz motored from P19 to P8, showcasing the new horsepower the Ferrari engine had gained which allowed it to easily pass cars in tricky wet conditions. 

"At this point of the season, it is clear that we have a package to fight for that position. And I think it is also important for the team to focus on it as a goal for the races that are left and we want to achieve it," he said. 

Binotto added that the track in Mexico will suit Ferrari because of the high altitude and the straight-line speed it has gained. In Turkey, it was notable that the Ferrari cars which have been blessed with great mechanical grip, in low downforce trim were amongst the fastest cars in the straights. 

Carlos Sainz showed impressive pace starting 19th on the grid and finish in P8

"Mexico is perhaps the path that on paper could favor our package a little more," Binotto added underlying the 10-15 bhp boost the engine has received thanks to the upgraded hybrid unit.

Carlos Sainz Jr also had indicated that there was something there in the new engine which the team didn't want to talk much about which shows how much development is happening with an eye towards the sweeping rule changes in the 2022 season and the incoming engine development freeze which will lock all the manufacturers in till 2026. 

In the Turkish GP, Ferrari closed the deficit to McLaren to just 7.5 points and with many tracks coming up which could suit the Ferrari - this gap could be whittled away now that it no longer has a very perceptible weakness in straight-line speed. This weakness was particularly at the fore at Ferrari's home track at Monza which is the fastest track on the calendar with its long straights and 70 percent-plus times at full throttle. The McLaren cars came 1-2 powered by the Mercedes engine, while the Ferrari duo managed P5 and P7, but this created the massive gap between the two teams which Ferrari is trying to plug to get P3.

Development for the 2022 season at Maranello is also at a critical stage which means that Ferrari's boss will be overseeing the development of the car. Binotto used to be Ferrari's technical director and before that head of the power unit before he was elevated to the team principal designation. Even now, department heads report to him.