Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has said that the Maranello-based team’s 2021 challenger, the SF21, is “exactly the same” as it was at the season-opener in Bahrain.
Speaking this week, Binotto revealed that Ferrari have made “very little changes” to make the SF21 more competitive, as they have been focusing their research and development resources on their 2022 car.
READ: ‘Clearly There’s Something Missing’: Ricciardo Opens Up On Being Outperformed By Norris
“The car itself is exactly the same as we had in Bahrain. Very little changes,” Binotto said.
“The focus has been more on trying to exploit the maximum potential of the cars through the weekends.
“To somehow really make sure that in terms of race engineering and drivers through the weekend we are doing the right and proper job.
“That’s set-up, the way we approach the weekend, tyre management and strategy as well.”
Continuing, Binotto explained why he thinks Ferrari had better race pace than outright qualifying performance at Austria, whereas the opposite was true at most of the other grand prix contested so far this year.
READ: Vettel Defends Green Stance After Drawing Criticism For ‘Hypocrisy’
“I think it’s more down to the track layout than a different approach,” he said.
“I think that our good grip-limited performance has somehow made the fact that we have a good race pace this weekend, but I don’t think it is down to a different approach.
“I think that since the very start of the year we have made progress. I think the team is more together, not only in terms of spirit but the way we are acting.”
Follow us on Google News to never miss an F1 story!