Binotto: 'This shows that we can perform again in the future'

With a second pole position in a row, Charles Leclerc has proven that Monaco was not an outlier. Mattia Binotto is delighted with the performance of his drivers and the SF21.

During free practice at the Baku City Circuit Ferrari already showed that they can keep up with Red Bull Racing, but it was expected that Max Verstappen would take pole position on Saturday. That position surprisingly went to Charles Leclerc after another red flag ended qualifying.

Binotto is obviously overjoyed with his team's achieved performance. "It's great to be here in Baku and confirm the performance in Monaco. It's still a street circuit, but very different from Monaco, with different conditions, some wind today and a very long straight," the team boss explained to Sky Sports F1 after qualifying.

Will Ferrari become a top team again?

After a dramatic season in 2020, Ferrari wants to get back to a team that can fight for victory and the championship step by step. "To be fast here was very important for us. The team is showing that it is in good shape, as are the drivers. It's a great result.

"We didn't expect to be the fastest in Baku, but yesterday we already saw that our car responds well here. I think we have a very strong team and it shows we can perform again in the future."

Not only did Leclerc have a good qualifying, so did teammate Carlos Sainz, despite crashing at the end. "Carlos was improving his lap when he crashed. That's a shame, because he could have done even better today," Binotto concluded. The Spaniard now has to make do with 'only' P5.