How Ferrari Will Decide Who is Number 1 - Hamilton and Vettel Professional Enough to Work Together
0:00 - How Ferrari Will Decide Who is Number 1
1:42 - Hamilton and Vettel Professional Enough to Work Together
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The team dynamics in Ferrari in 2021 that will see current driver Charles Leclerc partnered by new signing Carlos Sainz has been a hot topic of debate. Sainz recently said that he will not be playing second fiddle to Leclerc. The team’s principal Mattia Binotto has now given his take on the matter
How Ferrari Will Decide Who is Number 1
Many in F1 feel that Sainz is good enough to be a threat for Leclerc right away in 2021 and maybe even challenge for the title.
Binotto gave his thoughts on how Sainz may find his 2021 season
"Is Sainz a candidate for the title in 2021? I think that the first year is more difficult because he still has to get to know the car and the team"
Sainz has been signed for a two-year deal and Binotto explained why
"That's also why we didn't offer him a one year contract. But I'm sure that he's very fast and can become world champion in the end"
He also suggested that Ferrari would still be happy if Sainz is on Leclerc’s level right away
"We would be happy if he participates at the highest level, like Charles, and helps Ferrari to win the constructors title."
He then hoped that everything goes smoothly between the two and added that even if it doesn’t, he is there as the team principal to manage things and ensure that Ferrari’s interests are protected
"Everything will go smoothly and if those moments are there, it's my job. But you have to be positive, Charles becomes stronger and the more time passes, the more he understands the importance of participating in Ferrari."
He concluded by further emphasizing that the team will always have precedence over the drivers while also confirming that the driver pecking order will be decided on the track
"The first thing is to have two good drivers, team spirit is important. You have to make sure that Ferrari comes first. And I think that on the track you will see who is number one and number two. It has always been like that"
Hamilton and Vettel Professional Enough to Work Together
Many F1 fans are hoping that Mercedes sign current Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel for 2021 so that Vettel and reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton can race in equal machinery as teammates
Mercedes’ technical director James Allison, however, has revealed that Vettel does not really fit into the current scheme of things at Mercedes
"The first and most obvious thing to be said is that we currently have two very good drivers and we have options for other strong drivers. So it is not very easy to imagine that Vettel will suddenly drive for the team”
"If it were to happen, I think both men would find a way to make it work. Lewis is a phenomenal driver and Sebastian also has quite a few nice performances under his belt. I'm sure the professionals in both of them will make it work."
He concluded by suggesting that they have plenty of other options to look at before Vettel comes into the picture
"I just find it very difficult to imagine that the many strong options we currently have will disappear like snow in the sun"
Fast Feed
Ross Brawn feels that McLaren and Williams “have had less performance in recent years, which puts them in this” difficult “situation”
He also revealed that they are “now looking at what the next powertrain should look like, and” thinks “that's the opportunity to get new manufacturers involved”
He also thinks that "There is still quite a lot of volatility in the situation in different countries, so until that stabilises and we can see where the situation is, it's difficult to commit" to more races
Mattia Binotto feels “that [having] the sprint race only on the second race weekend on the same circuit would have been a solution" to attracting more fans
Jean Alesi feels that Sebastian Vettel “gave everything to become world champion with Ferrari - and failed"
Daimler CEO, Ola Kallenius is of the opinion that “Formula 1 is fantastic and is a sport that” he “grew up with. The sport is big, magical and a great sign for” Mercedes
Nico Hulkenberg has confirmed that “The Formula 1 book is certainly not closed yet. If there is a good option” he “will think about it. The break is nice” but he also wants “to race again”
CEO of the Belgian Grand Prix has confirmed that their current contract with F1 has been extended “until 2022"
Hungary’s circuit director Gyualay Zsolt has revealed that the “rights fee” for a race without fans is a “fragment of the one” they “pay in case of an open event"
Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer feels that "It will obviously not be the same without fans in the stands, and” F1 “will miss their enthusiasm and support very much”
McLaren’s Lando Norris thinks that "It will be difficult for everyone to have three race weekends in a row” and added that “It's good” to ”race again, but there will also be a lot of challenges"