Sebastian Vettel says Ferrari has “trust” in new team boss Mattia Binotto to lead them forward in 2019.
The Scuderia heads into this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix as the favourite for victory based on their performance in testing,
But questions over whether they sustain a bid for the Formula 1 championship remain and particularly with Binotto learning as he goes in his new role at Maranello
“It’s a big change but Mattia has been with the team longer than most of the people that work for Ferrari so he is not a new face,” Vettel claimed on Wednesday.
“I think people know him and have learned to trust him. For sure it’s a new challenge for the whole team.
“We try to turn the page because we obviously had our weaknesses last year and we tried to fix those and do much better this year.
“So far the spirit is right and the team is on track, the car feels good, so let’s see how we start here.”
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Binotto himself agreed, that avoiding the developmental and strategic errors that hurt Ferrari last year must be avoided in 2019.
“We did our homework during the winter and we are now all focused on the season,” said the 25-year veteran at the team.
“It’s always nice to start here in Australia but it will be a very long and tough season, so just being focused.”
Something else Binotto will need to assess is the dynamic between Vettel and new teammate Charles Leclerc.
However, 2016 champion Nico Rosberg believes that will favour his fellow German under the Swiss boss.
“The change at the top of the team will have a positive effect on Sebastian,” he told Auto Bild.
“He lost the title in 2018 also because he lacked 100% support and that should have changed now.”