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Binotto says Vettel is very important to his plans

Binotto says Vettel is "very important" to his plans

10-07-2019 09:30
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Bobby Vincent

Sebastian Vettel is "very important" to Ferrari according to team boss Mattia Binotto, as he calls for more patience for the four-time world champion.

Ferrari have endured a dismal start to the season, with nine races already being raced, and the Italian team yet to win one of them. Vettel had the race in Canada, where he crossed the line in first-place, only for it to be controversially taken away from him.

The team have really struggled to match the speed and dynamism of Mercedes. Just days ago, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said Ferrari should have two or three GP wins to its name already this season. Responding to those comments, Binotto told Auto Bild: "Ferrari has not won yet, that's right. But also because we missed some opportunities.

"From the numbers, Mercedes is better at the moment, but the gap is actually smaller."

Binotto also spoke on his driver Vettel, who has been rumoured to retire from F1 at the end of the season, with his future at Ferrari still in serious doubt.

"It's definitely not easy for him, but he understands his role in re-building the team," Binotto continued. "He is very important to me. 

"He knows that nobody wins alone, you only do it all together. The future is always more important than the past, so it's important that he feels that we trust him. And we do."