Ferrari hopeful: 'That was our main goal'

Ferrari is on a steady rise in Formula 1. While the Italian team was unable to compete at the top of the standings last season, this season they are battling it out with McLaren for third place in the Constructors' Championship. Mattia Binotto believes this is a good sign.

The Ferrari team boss saw that Ferrari during the Turkish Grand Prix not only performed better than McLaren but that it also came close to the speed of Red Bull Racing. Binotto can therefore do nothing but be satisfied. "This is a clear improvement on the last races," he said in an interview with Auto, Motor und Sport.

Finishing third would be a welcome relief for Ferrari. Indeed, it gives the Italians the extra confidence to continue on the current path. "Our main goal at the introduction this year was to gain experience for next year, but it also brings benefits that we cannot quantify in lap times," Binotto states about the new engine.

Charles Leclerc celebrates his birthday on Saturday. The 24 year old driver has achieved pole position twice so far this season, but both times he failed to win.