Binotto: Ferrari must encourage drivers despite mistakes

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has overseen a change in driver relationship as he urges his whole team to give encouragement to both Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc through mistakes.

Following Vettel’s spin while battling Lewis Hamilton during the Bahrain Grand Prix, Binotto has called on both the driver and the team to quickly put mistakes behind them and target future solutions rather than pointing the finger of blame.

Vettel came under fire after his spin, having suffered similar incidents in 2018 as his Formula 1 world title charge faded, but the Ferrari chief played down the mistake in order to avoid repeating previous problems.

“It was a mistake and I don’t think we should discuss about mistakes. We are always in the battle and in the fight, that is what we are doing, it is never easy,” Binotto said. “I think at the end it is something that can always happen.

“I think we need to encourage our drivers, because it is only by driving to the limit that they achieve the best result and that is what Seb was trying to do.”

Following the Bahrain race Vettel tested for Ferrari on Tuesday, with Motorsport Magazin reporting he completed the programme in teammate Leclerc’s SF90, as he looks to understand the balance and limits of the Ferrari’s 2019 F1 car after a difficult opening two rounds.

“There is some homework on the balance to improve,” Binotto said. “We are still learning about our car and we have some days of testing in Bahrain and that will be useful for the preparation ahead of China.

“I think all good in that respect and we will keep focus on that and hope to improve.”