Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto says Sebastian Vettel’s third place podium finish at the Turkish Grand prix held at the Istanbul park was a very important milestone in what has been a very disappointing season for the Ferrari team so far.
Vettel was already off to a bad start with the team before the start of the 2020 F1 Season as Ferrari decided not to renew his contract beyond 2020. Vettel’s performance has been very dismal compared to the previous seasons being that he was the driver who won the drivers championship titles from 2010 to 2013.
Despite a lot of struggle through the 2020 season, he managed to put on quite an impressive performance in the Turkish Grand prix which resulted to a podium finish, out-performing his teammate, Charles Leclerc for the first time in 11 races. Leclerc came later to finish fourth after Vettel after puttin on pressure on Racing Point’s Sergio Perez during the last lap.
Binotto had decided not to attend the race as he was putting his focus on the efforts to develop the 2021 Ferrari car, he however congratulated the 4-time champion afterwards as he suggested Vettel had finally found some confidence in his SF1000.
“I’m very pleased for Sebastian, I think a podium for him is very important. It has been a difficult season for him.” the Ferrari boss said.
“I think he has started being, at least now at the end of the season, comfortable with the car. He’s delivering better.”
“He had a very good start, very consistent, with good pace. He was managing the tyres, managing to keep the positions, and holding the positions. And overall, even on the last lap, he did well because he took the opportunity. And it’s great for him.”
“He just finished third, very close to Perez. But great, I’m happy for him. Still three races, and hopefully we will do as well in the next one.”
For his part, Vettel, who sits 13th in the driver’s standings on 33 points, joked afterwards that Binotto’s absence was the reason for his success.
“I think we scored probably the most points this year for us and Mattia wasn’t here! Yeah, if the next race we don’t score as many points we try again to leave him at home,” he quipped
“No, I don’t think it’s related to that. I don’t believe in this kind of stuff.”
