Ferrari Formula One boss Mattia Binotto says he still enjoys the full support of his superiors after the team’s worst season in 40 years and it is targeting a return to the top three next year.
The sport’s oldest and many successful team finished sixth overall in the 2021 constructors’ championship, with no race win.
Chief executive Louis Camilleri, a strong supporter of Binotto, announced his surprise retirement last week with chairman John Elkann taking over on an interim basis.
Binotto told reporters on Friday, in a video call replacing the traditional pre-Christmas media lunch at Maranello because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he had “the entire trust and the full support” of Elkann and vice-president Piero Ferrari.
“There are no alterations in our plans, no alterations in what's our future,” he explained when asked how Camilleri’s departure might modify the team.
He recognized, however, that his job might be at risk without evident progress.
“I understand that time isn't infinite, certainly,” he added. “I am pretty conscious of the very fact that…as a team we have to prosper and myself as well as principal to complete well in the next seasons.”
Binotto said Ferrari could expect a much better 2021, even if the gap to champions Mercedes was still being too great.
“I'm pretty sure this year will make us stronger for the future,” he explained.
“Third isn't impossible, I believe that should be our minimum objective for pick up.”
Binotto said that wouldn't be easy but Ferrari had made progress on a new engine which was running well around the test bed and showing significant improvement.
“I believe we will be back to being competitive like a power unit; we won't be the lowest within the field,” he said.
Ferrari possess a motorist lineup next year, with Carlos Sainz joining from McLaren alongside Monegasque Charles Leclerc while 4 times world champion Sebastian Vettel leaves.
Sainz spent his first day in Ferrari red in the factory on Friday, in what Binotto said was much more of a tourist tour before the real work starts in the New Year.
“It is a big day for me personally and one I will probably always remember,” said the Spaniard.
The 2021 car is going to be named the SF21, Binotto said. This year’s was the SF1000, in homage towards the team’s 1,000th world championship grand prix this season.
