Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto is refusing to take credit for the Italians’ 2023 car, despite the fact he played a large role in the creation of it prior to his departure.
Binotto resigned from his role at Ferrari following the conclusion of the 2022 season, with many believing that the Italian was given the choice to either resign or be sacked.
His exit from Maranello marked the end of a 28-year relationship, with him having joined Ferrari as an intern in 1995.
Binotto’s four-year stint as team boss was questionable, with many having been surprised that he even made it to the end of 2022.
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Reliability and strategic issues ultimately cost him his job, with Ferrari having bottled a huge chance to win a title last season.
The Italian outfit actually unveiled their new car last Tuesday and have reportedly enjoyed a great winter, with some expecting them to perhaps be the team to beat come Bahrain.
Binotto is refusing to take credit for the SF23 and has actually distanced himself from it, with the Italian believing it’s the drivers who “make a difference”.
“In F1 it’s not about the individual, it’s about the group,” Binotto said at the Panathlon in Parma.
“The SF23 was designed when I was there, that’s obvious, but it’s not my car, it’s Ferrari’s single-seater.
“To win you have to have the best car. The driver can make the difference in the last two tenths on the track, in talent, in skill behind the wheel, but also in a winning mentality, in the charisma with which he drives the team.
“A great driver makes a difference on and off the track, in cultivating and improving the mentality of a team.”
Charles Leclerc was pleased with the SF23 following its shakedown test on Tuesday, with the Monegasque likely hoping to start 2023 as well as he started 2022.
The 25-year-old is pleased with the car so far and was glad that “everything went really well” during his short drive, with the next step being pre-season testing in Bahrain.
“It feels good,” said Leclerc after driving the car.
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“It’s the first kilometres with this new project. After doing so many kilometres on the simulator, it feels special.
“Everything went smoothly. Obviously, with two laps it’s difficult to go into details, but I have already gave my feedback when I was in the car to the engineers to give the first feeling.
“The car was running well, smooth, so everything went really well.”