Ferrari ‘not managing the championship’, insists Binotto

Despite Charles Leclerc emerging as the driver to beat in the early rounds of this season, Mattia Binotto says Ferrari are “not managing” the championship as it is only three races in.

After two seasons without a single grand prix win, Leclerc has bagged two in three races to give Ferrari the lead in both championships.

The Monégasque driver is sitting on 71 points, 34 ahead of George Russell, with Ferrari 49 ahead of Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship.

It is the first time since 2018 Ferrari have found themselves leading the standings.

That year, Sebastian Vettel was ahead of Lewis Hamilton after 10 rounds only to lose the Drivers’ title nine races later when the Mercedes man took an unassailable lead. Mercedes also won the teams’ trophy.

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With that in mind, Binotto has refuted suggestions Ferrari are in a position to “manage” the title race.

“We are not managing the championship,” said the Italian. “It’s only three races. We stay focused on every single race and that is the way we will approach.

“That one was great. In all truth, to do a good weekend and to win you need to be perfect.

“That was the case in Bahrain because it was always very tight. We were not perfect in Jeddah and we lost. Here, again we have had a great weekend and that is how we need to approach it.”

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