Ferrari’s extra F1 wind tunnel time only worth 0.1s per lap - Binotto

Alongside entirely new technical regulations for this season, 2022 is the first year that cars are being built under new development rules.

Based on the 2020 constructors’ championship finishing order, champions Mercedes had the least amount of development time, while Williams enjoyed the most after finishing 10th.

Ferrari endured its worst season in 40 years as it only finished sixth in the standings, meaning it had significantly more development time than its rivals Mercedes and Red Bull.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claimed that Ferrari could have up to 0.2s advantage, but Binotto has played it down.

“We have some more runs at the wind tunnel but if you look at the amount it’s a couple of sessions in the entire year,” Binotto said. “It’s maybe a tenth per lap if you are very good, I think that’s the amount.

“It’s all how you manage priorities, how good you are and efficient in your activities. If you look at Mercedes, Red Bull, how strong they were last year, no doubt that as a team they are very, very strong and I think the regulations are in place to help the ones that are less efficient. It was important for us trying to put focus and priority on 2022. We always said it was a good opportunity.”

Ferrari enjoyed a strong first test in Barcelona, with many tipping it as the team to beat at the moment.

Despite Ferrari’s impressive start to testing, Binotto still believes his team is the “outsider” going into 2022.

“Now we are on track, trying to learn the car,” Binotto added. “How we benefit from that I think only the next months will tell us and not the next days. I think as I said some weeks ago before we see the full potential of those cars let’s give it at least four to five races because there is so much still to learn, to adapt, to address.

“Even the first race will be a completely different situation in Bahrain. The heat, the different type of track, I am pretty sure we can find pretty different balance between the teams in terms of relative competitiveness. Let’s wait and see. I think do we have a benefit from that? 

“Honestly, I think we are not the strongest team, we are still the outsider and not the favourites.”