‘A positive result given the SF21’s limitations’ – Mattia Binotto | 2021 Dutch GP. Binotto on Ferrari's race at Zandvoort.

Charles Leclerc would have liked to to recover two positions at the start of the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix to have the chance of aiming for a podium finish at Zandvoort. The Monegasque, however, remained fifth at the start of the race, keeping his starting position and would eventually finish the Dutch Grand Prix in P5. Carlos Sainz, on the other hand, lost one place to finish seventh, surrendering in the final lap to Fernando Alonso due to tire wear problems. On a very abrasive track like that of Zandvoort, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto was afraid of running into another Sunday to forget as happened in France at Le Castellet, where the reds ended up outside the points zone.

Today, however, the performance of the Maranello team was solid and in line with that expressed in Qualifying. Furthermore, McLaren only gained one point with Lando Norris and so Ferrari is now firmly third in the constructors’ standings. A good overall result in view of the home Grand Prix in Monza scheduled for next week, where the SF21 will try to defend itself on the straights in the temple of speed using the excellent traction of the 2021 single-seater.

Mattia Binotto commented on the performance of Ferrari in a post-race interview for Sky Sport F1: “I read the race in a positive way. This track presented a big challenge for us, the durability of the tires. In speed it is similar to Paul Ricard, the risk of being in a similar situation was there, starting ahead and then losing ground. We put a lot of effort into the second stint to ensure we go to the end with only one stop. Overall we are happy. We also told the drivers: we do not take risks and we try to get the points necessary for the constructors’ standings. Charles drove very well. At one point we tried to push Gasly to the pit stop, pretending to stop. He came back, for us it was an opportunity. The team worked well, with the car’s limitations today. Carlos Sainz? Sometimes it takes little to generate more wear. The driver was not completely comfortable with the car. He lost the third practice session, so in preparation for qualifying and the race he lost useful moments to lap and accumulate experience on this track. I wouldn’t make a fuss of it. His race was solid as well, too bad for the last lap “. – the Ferrari boss concluded.