Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto is targeting wins but doubts a potential championship bid is possible in 2022.
The Scuderia is back on the upward trend, finishing third in the Constructors’ standings last year after a back and forth battle with old rivals McLaren.
However, at the same time, all of Ferrari’s focus was on the all-new regulations for this season, and there is a belief that the Italian team, who on Monday announced their new car will be launched on February 17, could be among the favourites going into 2022.
“What will be important for us this year is to keep on growing and to further reduce the gap to the competitors,” said Binotto via The Race on Ferrari’s ambitions.
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“The new regulations are a clear opportunity. The hope is to be competitive and for me to be competitive is to be in the position of winning races.
“Would that mean that we can fight for a championship? If I look at last year, the gap is still big.
“But as Ferrari, it’s part of our DNA. What is important is to be capable of fighting at least in some races for pole and for the win.
“That is the simple consequence of continuous growth and improvement. I would be disappointed if we have not improved from this year.”
One month to go…
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#essereFerrari ? pic.twitter.com/TDR2BH9YfR— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 17, 2022
And though Ferrari is expected to be one of the team’s to benefit from the all-new cars, the Swiss team boss admits nothing is guaranteed.
“Maybe at the start of the season, there will be a difference in competitiveness between the cars because of the way each team has interpreted the rules and solutions you may bring,” he said.
“What is important as Ferrari is being capable of understanding weaknesses and addressing them very quickly.
“It’s team reaction which will be key.”
But after two years in the midfield pack, including Ferrari’s worst season in 40 years in 2020, Binotto hopes the lessons learnt will help continue their progress.
“They have taught us it is difficult,” he told Sky Italia on what the team has learnt in recent seasons.
“Not even in Formula 1 does a magic wand exist. It’s about working seriously, trying to improve continuously and you have to do it step by step. You have to be better than we have been.
“These two years have taught us the fatigue of not being able to compete for the best positions and to be patient. After all, we can’t say we are satisfied, and we are not happy to see others celebrating.
“So I say fatigue, patience and when it’s important, to improve in order to reach these goals and objectives of ours.”
