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Mattia Binotto confident in Ferrari's future, eyes top 3 in 2021
CGTN
Mattia Binotto, team principal of Scuderia Ferrari in Formula One. /CFP

Mattia Binotto, team principal of Scuderia Ferrari in Formula One. /CFP

Mattia Binotto, team principal of Scuderia Ferrari in Formula One, expressed his confidence in the team's future despite the worst season in 40 years in 2020, to reporters on Friday.

"I'm pretty sure that this year will make us stronger for the future. Third is not impossible, I think that should be our minimum objective for next season," said Binotto, who just watched F1's oldest and most successful team finish sixth overall in the constructors' championship without a race win.

Meanwhile, Ferrari's chief executive Louis Camilleri, who has been supporting Binotto all along, retired last week. Chairman John Elkann took over the position on an interim basis. Despite that, Binotto told reporters that he still enjoys "the full trust and the full support" from Elkann and vice-president Piero Ferrari.

"There are no changes in our plans, no changes in what is our future. I know that my time is not infinite, certainly. I am pretty aware of the fact that ... as a team we need to do well and myself as well as principal to do well in the next seasons," said Binotto.

Carlos Sainz of McLaren F1 looks on as he walks in parc ferme after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Sakhir at Bahrain International Circuit in Bahrain, Bahrain, December 5, 2020. /CFP

Carlos Sainz of McLaren F1 looks on as he walks in parc ferme after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Sakhir at Bahrain International Circuit in Bahrain, Bahrain, December 5, 2020. /CFP

According to him, Ferrari has already achieved good progress on a new engine that worked well on the test bed. "I think we will be back to being competitive as a power unit; we will not be the lowest in the field." Binotto also revealed that the new car will be named the SF21.

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has already left Ferrari and the team has introduced new faces Carlos Sainz from McLaren to pair Charles Leclerc. Sainz spent his first day on the team at the factory.

"It is a special day for me and one I will probably never forget," said Sainz.

The new F1 season will start in Australia in mid-March and finish in Abu Dhabi in early December after 23 Grands Prix, including a debut in Saudi Arabia.

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