Ferrari: Mattia Binotto on Charles Leclerc vs Carlos Sainz, and Lewis Hamilton has no regrets

Ferrari team leader Mattia Binotto speaks exclusively to Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater about new drivers; he also talks about Lewis Hamilton and whether he’s sorry he didn’t join the team and the most successful F1 driver

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will be “free to fight” as friends of the Ferrari team in early 2021, according to team leader Mattia Binotto – who says his interesting young driver means he has no regrets about not brings Lewis Hamilton to Formula 1 ‘s most famous team.

After a poor 2020, where a strong force historically ended the sport in the sixth, Ferrari entered a new era this year with their youngest line in more than half a century as Sainz , 26, replaces four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel. joins Leclerc, 23.

Sainz, who were at Ferrari ‘s headquarters in Maranello on Tuesday to begin preparations for the 2021 season, will be driving in the red image after a move from McLaren – which was agreed back in May last year.

“I think Sebastian is a good man, a good driver, and we had good times together – but I think it was time to make a different decision and move forward, “Binotto explained to him Sky Sports News Craig Slater in an exclusive interview.

“We will have a very young line in the future, the youngest Ferrari line since 1968, but those two drivers, Charles and Carlos, are very strong, very talented, and although they are young they have a good experience in it. am F1.

“So I’m very happy for the choice.”

Ferrari has traditionally hired a ‘number one’ and ‘two’ driver over the years, most notably when Michael Schumacher began climbing with cupcakes in the early 2000s. But Leclerc ‘s form has seen him and Vettel treated as equals, often with fight results – and Binotto says Leclerc and Sainz will start that way too.

“There is no number one and number two, they will have equal opportunities – certainly at the start of the season,” the team leader said. “I am just happy then that they are free to fight.

“I think what we have to do is usually maximize the team points, and when you make the best team points you usually make full use of the drivers’ points as well. team points the most.

“Later in the season, we will see how things go, we will see what goals individual drivers can achieve and if we need to take a different strategy but at the start of the season they will be free to fight. “

The Scuderia are aiming to get back at least up to a third in the standings this year, although they are prioritizing the “clean slate” i.e. the 2022 rules update, which could order an F1 pack completely reset.

Ferrari on why Hamilton doesn’t have ‘remorse’

With Ferrari reeling after their worst season in 40 years and Mercedes celebrating its seventh consecutive title rhythm, a conversation about Hamilton Arrows superstar enters the Scuderia – a has been plentiful for much of the glossy English F1 career – feeling a distant memory.

Hamilton has yet to sign a new contract for 2021, although it is expected to be close. Even if not, the famous Ferrari swoop is now definitely off the board because of their decline from title rivals to midfield runners, and their new driver line.

Binotto discussed whether there was remorse for failing to achieve a partnership between the most successful driver at F1, and the most successful team.

“I don’t think there will be any regrets because in the end when we made decisions, we made them think they were the right decisions and today we have a great driver like Charles where did we invest a lot like Ferrari, “Binotto explained.

“I think he has a lot of talent. If he has the right car, I’m pretty sure he can challenge Lewis Hamilton.

“We have made our choices, and I think with Carlos we are very strong. I don’t think there will be any regrets.”

The new F1 season is expected to begin on March 28 with a Bahraini GP after an Australian GP postponed it until November.