F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Ferrari renews ambition to finish P3 in championship

Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto says his team aims to sustain its improving trend but snatching third in the Constructors' championship from McLaren is now also the Scuderia's ambition.

After a dismal 2020 campaign, one of its worst in its history, Ferrari has made great strides this season and its turn around has allowed it to become a regular top five contender on race day along with McLaren.

At Silverstone, the Italian outfit enjoyed its third consecutive double points finish, with Charles Leclerc leading the British Grand Prix all afternoon, succumbing to a successful attack from Lewis Hamilton just three laps from the checkered flag.

The House of Maranello is focused in priority on the development of next year's all-important car, but Binotto says Ferrari - which now sits 15 points behind McLaren in the Constrictors' standings - can still afford to aim for a spot on the podium this year.

©Ferrari

"It’s clear that – I said it even before the season – this team can take the third place," he told Sky Italia. "They always did that in previous years, except for 2020. They also often finished second.

"So it’s our ambition. There’s no doubt we absolutely want to finish third, but our goal even before finishing third is to improve in every aspect, as a team.

"We are doing that, we saw that in the race pace, and I think third position is just a foregone conclusion of our hard work."

While highlighting his team's performance at Silverstone, Binotto also puts Ferrari's achievement into perspective relative to Mercedes.

"I don’t think [we were] equal because Hamilton, looking at the data, was saving the tyres in that moment," he said. "He was also perhaps managing the risk of a blister on that type of compound.

"It’s true [we finished] ahead of Bottas. But I think as we saw in Austria with Norris on Bottas, starting ahead and having the pace is fundamental.

"So [it shows] the importance of qualifying and the position on the grid to find yourself ahead and not stuck."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

13 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

15 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

16 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

18 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

19 hours ago

Mercedes fined for starting grid tyre pressure infringement

The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…

20 hours ago