“I believe that we did well to trust Binotto and his team, and that it paid off”
: John Elkann, the president of the Ferrari company, gave his support to the sporting director of the Formula team
1, Mattia Binotto, in an interview published on Saturday by the Gazetta dello sport, on the eve of the Italian GP at Monza.
To discover
Formula 1: the calendar for the 2022 season
Formula 1: manufacturers' classification
Formula 1: drivers classification
"Thanks to him for making us competitive again
," Elkann said of Binotto, under fire after a series of strategic mistakes since the start of the season.
“I am convinced that, by 2026, we will again win the constructors' and drivers' title, also declared the boss of the Scuderia. We will get there before we reach 20 years of scarcity.”
The Ferrari boss also expressed his support for the two Scuderia drivers, Spaniard Carlos Sainz and Monegasque Charles Leclerc,
"arguably the best driver duo in Formula 1"
, according to him.
According to John Erkann, Charles Leclerc, currently 2nd in the driver standings behind Max Verstappen, is in
"pole position"
to finally get the title that Ferrari has been leaking since that of Finn Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.
This season, the Monegasque is 109 points behind the Dutchman before the Italian Grand Prix.
He could however reduce his delay on Sunday on the leader on a circuit where Verstappen has never won.
Carlos Sainz and Leclerc managed the first and third times of the 2nd free practice session on Friday.
The Dutchman came between the two Ferrari drivers, but will start on the grid on Sunday with a five-place penalty.