0
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says he does not expect any “hard moments” to arise between Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at Ferrari next year.
Sainz will replace Sebastian Vettel at the Italian squad and join the team alongside Leclerc, who signed a multi-year extension at Ferrari at the end of the 2019 campaign.
Last year was Leclerc's first at Ferrari, and he managed to secure two race wins on his way to fourth place in the drivers' championship.
Ferrari's season was filled with high-tension moments between Leclerc and Vettel, which came to a boiling point at the Brazilian Grand Prix when the pair collided towards the end of the race, sending both into retirement.
MORE: Binotto would be 'very happy' to see Vettel switch to Mercedes
MORE Ferrari set for private test ahead of Austrian GP
However, Binotto is not expecting to see similar moments of difficulty when Sainz steps in next year.
“He [Leclerc] thinks he [Sainz] is a very fast driver and he is happy because he understands our project,” Binotto told Marca. “I don't think there will be hard moments between the two.
“Everything will go smoothly. And, if there is one, it is my job, but you have to be positive. Charles is getting stronger and the more time passes the more he understands the importance of being part of Ferrari.
“What happened in Brazil was bad luck and they are things that can happen in races.”
Binotto denied that Sainz will slip into a number two role at the team and support Leclerc - only the on-track results will decide who Ferrari should back later in a world championship season should it need to.
MORE: Sainz: I didn't sign at Ferrari to be number two driver
"The first thing is to have two good drivers. Team spirit is what is important, and making sure that Ferrari comes first,” he stated. “I think it will be the track itself that dictates who is first and who is second.
“It has always been this way even in the time of Michael Schumacher, who started every year at the same level as his teammate, but by the third race it was clear who was number one."
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
39,865 comments on Ferrari
4 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Carlos Sainz jr
489,173 comments on Ferrari 279 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Ferrari
Replies (0)
Login to reply