Ferrari does not want a first and second driver: "The team has priority"

F1 News

31 December 2021 at 13:10
Last update 31 December 2021 at 17:55
  • GPblog.com

In the past Ferrari regularly had a clear division of roles within the team, but team boss Mattia Binotto says he is moving away from that. There will be no preferential treatment for either Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz in 2022.

At the start of the 2021 Formula One season, Leclerc looked set to be the clear frontrunner at Ferrari, but Sainz surprised friend and foe with his competitive form. He even managed to beat his teammate in the end, finishing third in Abu Dhabi to take fifth place in the final standings.

Team has priority

According to Binotto, both drivers will therefore receive equal treatment in 2022. "The circuit will speak," said the Italian in conversation with Autosprint. "The priority always remains the team, but when it comes to an important position in the championship, the performance on the track will say who is ahead."

Binotto said earlier that he believed Leclerc should have finished fourth in the championship, rather than Sergio Perez. A striking statement, as it would also put him ahead of teammate Sainz. Binotto believes that the Monegasque lost at least forty points due to bad luck at various times.