Scuderia Ferrari are more than aware that the gap between themselves and Mercedes and Red Bull is ‘still very big’ despite the fact that Carlos Sainz was able to finish third at the Yas Marina circuit in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, behind race-winner Max Verstappen and his title tival Lewis Hamilton.
Max Verstappen was the man of the day in Abu Dhabi as he came away with his first ever world championship title, at the end of a dramatic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final race of the 2021 Formula 1 season. Arch rival Hamilton was the man who held a comfortable lead for most of the race at the Yas Marina circuit, however a late safety car led to an incredible last lap after Nicholas Latifi crashed late on.
Lapped cars who stood between the two title rivals were allowed to controversially pass, leaving the Mercedes and Red Bull drivers to play out a one-lap shootout for the title which the Dutchman went on to win in, given the fact that he could count on frest soft tyres, while his rival was still on used hard tyres.
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Away from the title drama though, Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz put in an impressive final performance of the season to finish P3, which was his fourth podium finish this year. Despite the impressive showing from the Spaniard, Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto still feels the Maranello team is far behind rivals Mercedes and Red Bull.
“We wanted to finish this season with a smile and we did it. Having Carlos on the podium was the best way to end a championship in which we made significant progress compared to last year. We are aware that the gap to those fighting for the titles is still very big, but it cannot be denied that we took a considerable step forward over the course of the season.” – he explained.
In a 2021 Formula 1 championship which has no doubt been dominated by Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and their teams, Scuderia Ferrari came out next best having picked up a more than respectable third place finish in the constructors’ championship behind winners Mercedes, and runners-up Red Bull.
And Mattia Binotto confirmed that his team’s third-place finish was down to the hard work of his whole team, not just the driving of Carlos Sainz and teammate Charles Leclerc: “Third place in the Constructors’ Championship was down to the efforts of everyone in the team, at the track and back in Maranello, who worked really hard with determination, humility and in a united fashion. This team spirit and this will to improve together also extends to our drivers, Carlos and Charles, who have shown with their performance and their behaviour that they are up to the task they have been given as Scuderia Ferrari drivers. They are the best pairing on the grid.” – he added.
All eyes for the Ferrari boss now turn to the 2022 Formula 1 season and their efforts to bridge the gap between the sport’s top two as he aims to give their fans something to cheer about after sticking by them in more difficult moments during the last few seasons.
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