Binotto: "I think being ahead from the start of the race is key somehow"

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto is positive about the recent improvements at Ferrari but admits that the car performs best when driven in free air. The tyre problems the team experienced in France appear to have been all but resolved.

Ferrari have made a big step since the dramatic 2020 season, but are far from where they want to be. The Italians almost scored their first win at Silverstone with Charles Leclerc since 2019. Binotto sees a lot of improvement within the team.

Free air is the most important thing for Ferrari

"I think if you look at the Austria comparisons, [Lando] Norris has been on the podium doing a fantastic race. But if we analyse his race pace in Austria was very similar to ours but we were simply stuck in the traffic," Binotto is quoted by Motorsport.com. "And I think being ahead from the start of the race is key somehow."

The difference in speed also stood out between the two drivers. Leclerc drove in the lead for a long time and had no problems with his pace, while Carlos Sainz was stuck behind Daniel Ricciardo for a long time. "When Carlos was in clean air he had the pace of Charles. So, I think that's not our pace."

Tyre problems are over

Leclerc drove 49 laps in the lead in Britain which seemed to help very much with the tyre problems. But according to Binotto, those problems have also been resolved while the drivers are driving in traffic. "After France where we had front tyre problems, I think that the team regrouped, worked on it, and somehow understood the weaknesses and somehow tried to address it," he said.