2020 has been a year to forget for most people around the globe. Though it has also been full of learning, it has brought a significant downfall to many entities. In the world of F1, perhaps, Ferrari is the team that personifies this torrid year the most.
However, it wasn’t really the deadly virus that started their turmoil. They began last year when the FIA sanctioned them for an irregularity in their engines. Hence, they had to re-tune the most powerful engine of 2019 into the slowest power unit of 2020.
So, their struggles were apparent in the winter testing. However, not being able to develop the car because of lockdown was the final nail in the coffin for them. Team Principal Mattia Binotto, whilst speaking to the media in an exclusive media day for Ferrari, admitted their shortcomings this season –
“I don’t think we were expecting overall such a difficult season, not only from the performance point of view, but if we look obviously back on the Covid pandemic and all the situations we had to face, the level of our performance has been inadequate for what should be the standard of Ferrari.”
And for that, he wishes to apologize to the fans and the upper management, “We are very disappointed for it. And feel the full responsibility. We are sorry for the company. We are obviously sorry for our fans.”
Binotto on the positives for Ferrari from 2020
However, he wants to look at the glass half full. It was a year where they underwent significant changes in Personnel. The most notable of which was replacing Sebastian Vettel with Carlos Sainz. Also, they are learning the value of patience and team building –
“But it’s a season where I think we invested a lot in the future, we’ve got patience, stability where I think as Ferrari really we are trying to create the solid foundations which are required to become again very competitive and hopefully to open a new cycle for the future.”
The ‘Prancing Horse’ is building the team around Charles Leclerc. Though the ‘Tifosi’ won’t tolerate another down year. Else Binotto might get the boot too.
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