Scuderia Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has launched into a stinging tirade against the FIA after the recent events, which climaxed last Sunday when Charles Leclerc was relegated to third place due to a five-second time penalty received for a final-lap incident in the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit.
The Monegasque driver was struggling with tyre degradation, which once again proved to be a lot worse than Red Bull’s: as a result, Charles Leclerc was not able to match the pace of Max Verstappen on Intermediate tyres except for the first five laps and was then left defending from Sergio Perez during the last ten minutes of the Japanese Grand Prix. In the last moments of the race, the Mexican driver was all over the back of Charles’ F1-75 but the Monegasque defended in a perfect way until the final chicane: the Ferrari driver cut the corner before squeezing Sergio Perez on the run down to the line.
While drivers were being interviewed in parc fermé, the race stewards confirmed a five-second penalty for Charles Leclerc, which also handed to 2022 Formula One world title to Max Verstappen. However, the timing and fast decision-making paled in comparison to how long it took the stewards to reach a decision in the previous round of the season, the Singapore Grand Prix, as Sergio Perez was under investigation for protocol breaches behind the safety car: “There is an infinite list of controversies and errors. Starting with the SC in Monza, up to today. I don’t want to go so far as to say that everything is done to benefit Red Bull, but there are inconsistencies and errors in decisions. Our sport must improve.” – the Ferrari boss said, after the Suzuka race.
This is not the only unsatisfactory situation for Scuderia Ferrari, as the Maranello team believes the FIA intends to leave Red Bull off the hook despite the budget cap breaches. Last week’s further delay in issuing compliance certificates for the 2021 Formula 1 campaign suggest there may be some truth to the rumours of a financial breach, according to Mattia Binotto, who on more than one occasion expressed his concern that this matter ‘could all melt away like snow in the sun.’
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The FIA were due to provide details about the 2021 compliance certificates, which signify each team conformed with the Formula 1 budget cap of $145 million last year, but eventually postponed the date from October 5th to the 10th (Monday).
“It is not viable to reverse the championship of the year before now.” – Mattia Binotto admitted – “If a team has spent more than others, it has a pace advantage in following seasons. The best penalty must be monetary, but also a sanction in car development. It is interesting that they are taking so long. It confirms there are conversations going on, which proves that some teams are at fault. The penalty must be significant. I need absolute transparency on the discussions that took place.”
The bitterness is obvious, I don’t hide it. I don’t think this would be right. It can only be overcome by looking ahead constructively and positively. We have big challenges awaiting us, including the next 4 races, next championships, and improving the FIA.” – Scuderia Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto concluded.
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