When did you know that you could no longer use certain systems in the PU?
Mattia Binotto: “Between the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020 and when we could have started to correct it, Covid and the freezing of the rules arrived and we found ourselves in this situation. The SF1000 was born to look for more downforce knowing that it has a superior engine. Then there were the technical directives and we found a car with high resistance to advance and few horsepower. The problem arose from the sum of the two things. The TD is not a punishment because it has not only hit us: all the teams have lost performance, some more and some less. In 2019 we covered the limits of the car with the engine.”
Mattia Binotto on the 2021 engine: “The next car will be an evolution of this one, due to the freezing of the regulation. But there are opportunities: the engine will be all new, it has been running on the bench for months, we count on it! And in these upcoming days, an important aerodynamic change is being voted on by the FIA World Council, with changes especially to the rear. It is a possibility to be exploited.”
And why didn’t you work to improve the chassis?
Mattia Binotto: “We did, but we still had our power advantage in mind, which then disappeared. And when we understood it, it was too late…”
Do you feel or have you felt your job is in danger?
Mattia Binotto: “Honestly never, because I know I have the support of my managers. But I questioned myself, I reflected on whether I can be suitable for the role of team principal.”
What conclusions did you come to?
Mattia Binotto: “I could have done better in some areas, for example the technical reorganization could have been done earlier. But I believe that my 25 years in F1 and the knowledge of this company are key elements to do well in this job.”
Why is Toto Wolff so angry with you?
Mattia Binotto: “Because we have different leadership styles, I never talk about others. And then because Ferrari is Ferrari. For him it represents something special too. I’m also one of the few who don’t always say yes to him.”
Was the Vettel decision too early?
Mattia Binotto: “It wasn’t even that early, we were in April. We love him, and it was right to give him the opportunity to organize himself. If I look at the facts I have not found myself with a demoralized Sebastian. Vettel is happy to compete. Not only that, at this stage he is showing what a beautiful person he is: the team has given him so much in recent years and he feels he owes them a lot. His desire to help to make the season end better is making us strong.”
Binotto about Charles Leclerc: “Charles grew up with us, knows the values of Ferrari and is very close. He is part of a special family and he knows it. This year is important, I think one day he will be able to say: ‘those difficulties were useful to me’. He has the talent and he is also growing as a leader in this difficult time. I often talk to him about Schumacher, who arrived in 1996 and was a champion in 2000. He can repeat that path.”
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