Opinion: it always “rains in the wet” for Ferrari. It always rains in the wet for Ferrari.

It always rains in the wet for Ferrari, both literally and figuratively. Still stunned by the positive performance of Silverstone, intoxicated with optimistic confidence, comforted by a historically favorable track, Ferrari arrived in Hungary convinced in could cofirm a good level of performance. Instead, something, or rather many things, went wrong. An uninspiring Maranello team, unable to find its rythm, unable to attack. Still there, in the uncertainty constituted by a mediocre race.

Qualifying with a bang for Carlos Sainz, surprised by the gusts of wind and forced to start fifteenth. Top ten for Charles Leclerc, with a seventh place however below expectations. This Ferrari amazes, sometimes in a positive way, sometimes in a negative way. Peaks of excellence followed by disappointing performances. Never real falls, but just enough to question and struggle to understand.

In a less than exciting picture, the rain in this Formula 1 context could represent a kind of blessing, the perfect excuse to take a gamble, to hunt for the podium or a comeback. Instead the chaos at the start, which actually shuffled the cards well, turned into a real Russian roulette, with the innocent Charles immediately out of the game and Carlos who was unable to take full advantage of the opportunity.

Therefore it rains in the wet. Because that accident is very expensive, forcing Ferrari to replace the engine in the future, with a consequent penalty. In this contingent F1, strangled by a thousand rules and crushed by quirky restrictions, even bad luck becomes a fault. A blow to the heart for a team that is climbing the slope after the disastrous 2020. Mattia Binotto, like Chris Horner, is furious at the injustice suffered, so much so that he proposes solutions at the limit of what is practicable, such as charging the damages to the team that provokes it. The reasoning of Ferrari is not wrong, but it is a bit discriminating.

There are richer teams, for which it would not be a problem, and teams in overt financial difficulties, for which such a rule would mean certain doom. It would perhaps be more equitable, in a sensible F1, to allow a sort of bonus that provides for the replacement, without consequent penalty, of those components that are irreparably damaged in the event of an accident caused by a third party. The turbulent start of the Hungarian Grand Prix offered several food for thought in this regard, but as usual the post-race declarations are unlikely to overturn a system that has already chosen its own direction, a direction diametrically opposite to the true spirit embodied by F1. .

All that remains is to get over it, collect the few points and turn the page. Charles Leclerc, like Norris and especially Verstappen, pays a very high price at the first corner of the Hungaroring, wasting an opportunity and taking on a debt to be paid off with a very high interest rate. A race accident can be accepted, but it is reprehensible that that same episode can heavily affect the rest of the championship.

As for Carlos Sainz, there is little to say: Carlos is a continuous confirmation. Step by step, little by little, he imposed himself in the world rankings. His weapon is rationality, even when he puts his heart into it. Less aggressive, less spectacular and less sparkling than Charles, he still gets straight to the point, hits the mark, maximizes the result.

Again, there was very little to do, certainly not because of his demerit. The car number 55 could not keep up with its rivals, slow and stuck behind other cars compared to the leading duo. However, the Spanish driver did not offer a bad impression even in the duel with Hamilton to whom he sadly had to give up third place, due to the obvious inferiority of the car.

Ferrari comes out of the Hungarian F1 Grand Prix with broken bones, because given the incredible situation that has arisen, it should have grasped something more. The regret could be mitigated by the podium finish, if the disqualification of Sebastian Vettel is confirmed, as it seems. But it is still too little compared to the potential. However Mattia Binotto manages to see the glass half full and identifies it precisely in his boys, stronger than adversity, always ready for battle.

An important basis for building the Ferrari of tomorrow. And in this, forgive the frankness, I can’t see subliminal messages, digs or indirect accusations against the ex Sebastian. I take it only as a certificate of esteem towards the current drivers. Now Mattia is trying to recreate a new winning harmony, on which to bet in view of 2022.