Mattia Binotto does not seem to want to create too many expectations in view of the Austrian GP, which will open the 2020 Formula 1 season next Sunday Ferrari has in fact admitted that the one that will take to the track a Spielberg for the first two events of the year it will be the same car as the Barcelona tests, who was certainly not convinced in terms of performance: “The results that emerged from the tests forced us to make an important change of direction as regards development, especially in terms of aerodynamics – he explained in a note – We had to understand why we had not seen in track what we expected and at that point recalibrate the whole program accordingly. It would have been counterproductive to continue on the expected path knowing that we would not have achieved the set objectives. Therefore, we decided to draw up a new program that covered the whole car, knowing that it would not be been ready for the first race. “
In conclusion, difficult to see a competitive SF1000 right away, at least on paper. The goal is to improve in view of the third race, that of July 19 at the Hungaroring in Budapest: “We know that we don’t have the fastest package today, we knew it on the eve of the departure for Melbourne and things have not changed. That said, the Austiracus circuit has different characteristics compared to that of Montmelò and the temperatures will not be those of the end of February. In Austria we will have to try to take advantage of the opportunities that should arise, waiting to understand in Hungary, once the step of development we are working on, where we really will be compared to the others, also in light of the developments that the competitors may have introduced “.
For Binotto it is therefore difficult to hypothesize what the hierarchies could be in this strange world championship season: “Never as in this anomalous season, making predictions is a sterile exercise. We will have some indication of where we will be in relation to ourselves at the end of the free practice on Friday, but a first verdict will only take place on Saturday after qualifying. Only then we will begin to have a slightly clearer picture of the power ratios on the pitch, not to mention the unknowns that the first race of the championship always brings with it in terms of reliability and tire performance over distance. We will have to try to be impeccable in every aspect of our work. “
VETTEL: “WE MUST BE REALISTS”
Sebastian Vettel also gives the impression of not wanting to create too many expectations: “It is not a mystery that we are all extremely eager to get back on track because it is really a long time since we have stopped – the German driver declared – At the beginning we treasured the pause, since usually we are always around the world and we have little time for our families and friends, but the time has come to return to the race. I like Spielberg very much, it seems like a carousel that runs very fast, then you compete on the high ground and I always said I love the mountains. But for the race we have to be realistic, thinking about the values that emerged from the tests on the pitch. This does not mean that we start defeated. have two races in a row here: this means that the following week we will have a lot more data to rely on. The first weekend will be key according to the second “.
LECLERC: “I CAN’T WAIT TO GET IN THE CAR”
There is more enthusiasm, however, in the words of Charles Leclerc: “Last week at Mugello we regained confidence with an F1 car and it was extremely pleasant to get behind the wheel of a real car. The race in Austria last year made it clear how aggressive I could be and this allowed me to experience very intense duels in the second half of the season. I can’t wait to get into the cockpit of my SF1000. Spielberg? It’s a very nice circuit, with many changes of slope It is nice to start right from there, even if we cannot count on the support of our fans. In this long period of lockdown I have alternated my athletic training with the virtual challenges behind the wheel of my simulator, having fun together with other drivers and, I think, doing amuse those who followed us from home “.
.
