Scuderia Ferrari F1 team principal Mattia Binotto is doing his best to downplay hopes that Ferrari’s new engine for 2021 will be enough to catch Mercedes.
The Maranello team’s boss said this week that early dynamometer testing of the new power unit has been “very promising.” But Binotto added, there’s a long way to go.
“Currently, we don’t have the best engine but next year we can have a completely new one,” said Binotto.
While early results back at the shop are encouraging and there seems to be some excitement that Ferrari’s full recovery from a 2020 slump could be swift, there are no guarantees.
“Can we reach Mercedes? Perhaps that is asking too much since it means gaining between 40 and 50 horsepower,” Binotto said. “But being on par with Honda and Renault today would in itself be a remarkable step forward.
“We have to bear in mind that only one engine specification will be allowed for the whole of 2021, except for minor details. There is no room for error,” he added.
Ferrari left the F1 Turkish Grand Prix having turned in its biggest points race of the season, as Sebastian Vettel finished third and Charles Leclerc fourth. It was Vettel’s first podium finish of 2021.
It’sbeen a while,” Vettel said. “Nice to take a trophy home. We’ve had a rough year so far. We’ve mostly struggled in qualifying and once you are back there, it’s very difficult.”
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