Scuderia Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto confirmed that the Maranello team’s engine reliability represents a “concern”, but is looking to remain level-headed as they evaluate the possible options.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were not able to reach the chequered flag in Azerbaijan due to power unit and hydraulic problems respectively, as Red Bull capitalized on the situation to take an easy 1-2 finish at the Baku City Circuit, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez on Sunday.
The issues encountered by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were not the only ones, as Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu and Haas driver Kevin Magnussen also ended the 2022 Azerbaijan GP prematurely: Kevin Magnussen’s challenger seemed to overheat after 30 laps, pointing to another engine problem. Due to the unfortunate outcome in Baku, Red Bull have now significantly increased their lead over the Maranello team in the Constructors’ Championship to 80 points. However, Mattia Binotto wanted to remain pragmatic after their problems
“Certainly it’s a concern,” Mattia Binotto said for Sky F1 after the 2022 Azerbaijan GP – “I think we said it even before coming here to Baku. Reliability is always a factor which is a key factor in the battle as [well as] the performance. I think as a team we pushed certainly a lot through the winter last year to develop the car, [but] we proved that we are not yet fully reliable. There is still some work to be done, but as I think we didn’t get euphoric at the start to the season, we will not be devastated right now. I think the team will stay focused, working hard trying to address those issues to make us simply stronger for the future.” – he continued.
Charles Leclerc was leading the Spanish Grand Prix when a similar engine problem forced him to retire. This means Ferrari have not lost two possible victories or at least two podium finishes for the Monegasque driver due to power unit issues, which has helped hand Max Verstappen a 34-point lead over the Ferrari driver at the top of the Drivers’ standings ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, despite the fact that Charles had been 46 points ahead himself earlier in the campaign.
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Mattia Binotto explained the Italian side will be evaluating the solutions are to the issues suffered in Azerbaijan during the next few days, but given the fact that the Canadian Grand Prix is next weekend, not a lot of changes can be made: “
“I think at first we need to understand and analyse what happened today. So not all these issues are the same, so maybe some of these are a very quick fix. I don’t know yet. Honestly, I think we need to take some time to analyse, to understand, and maybe some are the same as of the past events, maybe not. So I’ve not [got] the answer yet.” – Mattia Binotto concluded.
