Mattia Binotto says Ferrari is "not surprised" about the testing performance of team newcomer Charles Leclerc.

In winter testing, most agreed that 21-year-old Leclerc, who replaces Kimi Raikkonen, looked a match for Sebastian Vettel.

"We are not surprised with what we saw from him," new team boss Binotto said.

However, he has said that Vettel will have "priority" as four time world champion in 2019.

"Charles is certainly very fast," said Binotto. "But Barcelona was all about getting to know the new car, and about the close contact between the drivers and engineers.

"A real comparison with Sebastian was not possible and not the goal. But they drove laptimes at eye level, which underscores Charles' speed," he added.

Binotto, however, reiterated that Ferrari always expected Leclerc to be quick.

"We must not forget that he has been part of the Ferrari family for several years, and last year we were able to look in peace at how he was doing at Sauber.

"So his performance in Barcelona was not out of the blue. On the other hand, the tests were not to confirm our choice. How the season goes for him is what matters," he said.


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20 F1 Fan comments on “Boss 'not surprised' by Leclerc's pace

  1. Simon Saivil

    "However, he has said that Vettel will have "priority" over four time world champion Vettel in 2019."

    Vettel will have priority over himself? That is a novel idea.

    Reply
  2. Jeremy Ray

    Vettel could not cope with Riccardo when he arrived at Red Bull and quit the team at the end of the season.
    There is a strong likely hood that history will repeat itself if Ferrari let them race.

    Reply
  3. Stephen Fraser

    I am expecting a great tussle between the Renault boys. Should be good watching and may help the development towards the front. Riccardo brings setup talents that could be beneficial.

    Reply
  4. Simon Saivil

    I am on the record that Hamilton, at the end of the season, will end up 7th or lower.
    You are free to disagree with this, but you are not free to simply say "you're wrong." Anybody can do that. You have to show why he'll finish seventh or better.

    Reply
    • Alan Cooper

      I think the problem with F1 these days is that any good driver on the grid can be World Champion if he happens to be driving the fastest car.

      Reply
      • Simon Saivil

        Alan, I agree. I was roundly yelled at for suggesting that the drivers become free agents and be decoupled from car teams. That way each driver would get to drive for each team about twice a year, and the drivers would be coupled at random. That would sort out who is a good driver and which cars are best. Presumably the grid would have a much more even distribution of points.

        Reply
  5. Robert

    Hi all, History proves since the days of Gonzales and Fangio The two wealthiest teams win and recent history is Ferrari and Mercedes, ok rumours of Merc struggling might be true but they won't struggle long, any other team to be in the mix will need to make up last years deficit and find a bigger step this year than Merc and Ferrari which is a big ask, unless the rule makers intentionally favour the lower order, and if that ever happens Ferrari will cry and spit out the dummy because they need everything biased towards them.
    I think top teams should be made to give last years technology to poorer teams, then we would see proper racers like Williams knocking on the door

    Reply
  6. Alan

    I think if power steering was banned that would mean the end of wings. Then you would see the return of "four wheel drift" and real driving: that would sort out the men from the boys!
    To see the bikes drifting is spectacular. (Do a search on "Stoner drifting")

    Reply
  7. Robert

    That's why I love historic F1 racing and the old FFord, which was much better than todays racing because of all the different chassis and engines being used in Sports 200, FF & FF2000 it was exciting in those days, same in F3, with engines from BMW Alfa VW Ford etc, and of course Mansell's Triumph dolomite engine, it was great racing with some fast lads, not like todays sterile one make stuff and the whining motorised batteries, I feel sorry for new fans because they have never seen or heard a V8 cosworth at full chat, even F1 sounds like a swarm of one winged bee's

    Reply
  8. Dave

    @Simon: The comment is - "However, he has said that Vettel will have "priority" as four time world champion in 2019" - unless this has been edited - I cant see what you are talking about.
    @Jeremy: The fact that Riccardo also left Red Bull seems to imply that there is an issue with the team rather than the driver. Although Vettel certainly left for more money, the same cannot be said for Riccardo. Are Red Bull always lucky enough to pick a young driver that is better than their existing top driver?
    LeClerc seems to be really good, but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. It is one thing to fight to be the best of the mid-field (knowing you aren't going to win anyway except for unusual circumstances) and another the compete with the best drivers at the top of the field.
    If you make a mistake in the mid-field, you are trying hard but if you make a mistake at the top, you are an idiot. We should let Leclerc settle in first, before putting him on a pedestal.

    Reply

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