Ferrari is “much better prepared” for a season-long Formula 1 championship fight than in recent years, team boss Mattia Binotto claims.
The new 2022 rules have allowed the Scuderia to jump to the front of the field, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz claiming podiums in the first two races.
And though Ferrari’s improvement was somewhat expected given the early focus the team put on this year’s project, the scale of their success has caught Binotto by surprise.
“I can say in summary we have collected 78 points out of 88 available, we have scored more points than Red Bull and Mercedes combined!” he said reflecting on the opening two races.
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“I think we did well proving we are always competitive. The credit goes to a team that in three long weeks (including the Bahrain test) did a very solid job – the car worked, but also the pit-stops, the mechanics.
“In short, the strategies and engineering were of a high level. So I am very satisfied because we have collected so much, beyond all expectations.”
The expectation now is that Ferrari will face a year-long battle with Red Bull for the championship, while Mercedes could join the frame if they can overcome their problems with the W13.
However, keeping pace with their rivals over a full season has been the Italian team’s main problem after strong starts.
“I think keeping up the level of development through the season is always a challenge, not only for us but all of the teams,” said Binotto via Motorsport Week.
“It is true our competitors are very strong in that and proved to be very strong, while as Ferrari, the last two opportunities we had [in] 2017 and 2018 we lost a bit of ground through development.
“Since then, as for the car design, we have improved our tools which are wind tunnel, methodologies, process and simulator.
“I think today we are much better prepared compared to the past to do the proper job as well in development.
“We need as well to add, compared to the time today we have the budget cap which will influence the rate of development, and I think that’s a key point and a key element.
“My concern is we need to make sure we have got the right policy on that as it can be a game-changer in the fight for development.”