Ferrari team principal explains his absence from Japan: "Focus is on 2023"

Ferrari team principal explains his absence from Japan: “Focus is on 2023”. Ferrari team principal explains his absence from Japan.

The Japanese Grand Prix started in the pouring rain and was stopped after only three laps. The drivers barely had time to start on Intermediate tires. The intensity increased suddenly and the drivers started having problems with aquaplaning. Among these these was Carlos Sainz, as the Ferrari driver had to retire from the Suzuka race after losing the car and going into the wall. There was also a spin for Zhou, while technical retirement instead for Alexander Albon’s Williams.

Carlos Sainz hitting the wall, Mattia Binotto’s comments
Interviewed via a video call from Maranello, Scuderia Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto was asked to comment on Carlos Sainz’s retirement and the situation on the track under the red flag after just three laps: “The conditions difficult to assess and therefore difficult to say whether the decision taken by the race management to allow the GP to start was wrong. Had they all started on the Full Wet, maybe now we would have had a different situation, surely it would have been safer. Carlos Sainz? He had aquaplaning, you can’t say it was a mistake, but we will analyze the data better. It’s hard to say what’s going to happen. They might even decide not to race anymore.” – Mattia Binotto said at that moment, before race control eventually decided to restart the race.

The reason for his absence
During the interview, Mattia Binotto also clarified the reasons why he is in Maranello and not in Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix: “The 2022 season is ending and it is right to focus on 2023. I will probably also not be in Mexico. This has been an important season for us, but the next one will be even more important.” – the Ferrari boss added.

Budget cap
Finally, the Ferrari team principal was asked if next year we will also have to wait until October to find out if the teams respected the terms of the budget cap. The response of the Maranello team’s manager was clear: “Let’s hope not. The FIA knows that this is not the ideal situation and that we cannot continue like this. There will be discussions on the matter.” – Mattia Binotto concluded.