The Singapore Grand Prix for Ferrari ends with the second place signed by Charles Leclerc and the third obtained by Carlos Sainz while waiting to understand what the commissioners will decide on the safety car infringements committed by Sergio Perez.
The Maranello team, which in Singapore had hoped to break the fast of victories that has lasted since the Austrian GP, left the Marina Bay track with a hint of disappointment for a result that was below expectations.
At the end of a very long, intense and full of twists race Mattia Binotto spoke to the microphones of Sky Sport F1 HD to express his point of view not only on the Perez affair, but also to analyze the race disputed by his drivers .
“Perez was called to discuss not one but two single infractions,” explained Binotto. “On the occasion of two different safety cars, he made the same mistake, ie being too far from the car. If I look at similar cases, like Giovinazzi in 2020, the driver was punished with 5 seconds and I believe that the sporting regulations provide for 5 seconds, 10 or a drive through “.
The fact that the decision was not taken immediately was partially justified by Binotto. The Ferrari team principal, however, wanted to underline how this choice also influenced Leclerc’s management of the final part of the race.
“We are sorry that the decision did not come during the race because this delay affected not only the podium but also the management of the race itself because Charles, in an attempt to stay close to Perez, inevitably wore his tires”.
“I guess the stewards want to understand from the driver and the team what prompted him to ride differently. Maybe they didn’t want to rush a decision and possibly make a mistake. That’s why they took their time ”.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Binotto then explained why the Monegasque had a bad start from pole position and was immediately overtaken by Perez and wanted to praise the work done on the wall by the strategists.
“What is sorry today is Charles’ departure. He had a great reaction time, but when he started going on the accelerator he found little grip and this resulted in the rear wheels spinning and he lost momentum towards the first corner. In the pit he finished long, but I don’t think this mistake influenced the outcome of the race that much ”.
“Today our car went well and Charles did well too. I believe that even as a wall we have made the right decisions. We were among the first to mount slicks at a time when the track was not perfectly dry, but with this choice we pushed Perez to stop and we tried to change what could be the fate of the race ”.
The team principal of the Red team later explained the difficulties experienced by a Sainz author of a colorless race, but he looked at the glass half full looking at the haul of points brought home at the end of a complicated race.
“Carlos had a good start, but then his race was difficult. He didn’t feel the car well, he didn’t have confidence and didn’t push hard. Having said that, we got a good haul of points waiting to understand what decisions the commissioners will make ”.
Before leaving, Binotto underlined the excellent work done by the team in a weekend made complicated by the few laps covered on Friday and did not hide his disappointment for a vanished victory.
“Overall it was a very difficult weekend. We didn’t lap much on Friday, we fine-tuned the car with little data but the car performed well in both dry and wet conditions ”.
“More than angry I am disappointed because we have been looking for victory for some time, we need it. I think we deserved it this weekend. I’m sorry for the final result ”.
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