"Lots of stuff." During the three days of testing in Bahrain a week ago, Mattia Binotto thus described the work that his engineers had managed to do to build the F1-75. A car that he convinced more and more, but they were only tests. We arrived in Bahrain, at the first race of the year, with the belief that we could do well, but with the premonition that some teams were still hiding. Expectations confirmed… in half. Because Ferrari is there. She is back. The Maranello team collects a wonderful one-two in the first race of the year with the predestined Charles Leclerc finishing ahead of his teammate Carlos Sainz. One two. Like twelve years ago in Bahrain. A victory that is worth a thousand words. After years and seasons full of vicissitudes, the time has come for the fans of the Reds too to enjoy a joy that has been missing for 903 days.
All perfect
The Red did nothing wrong. Yes, nothing. The strategy was perfect. The pit stops, impeccable, the fastest of all. What makes the difference seems to be one component: the engine. The F1-75 in a straight line seemed uncatchable. Even the safety car which, rather than putting the Reds in difficulty, helped Sainz to take second position (obviously also taking advantage of the problem experienced by Verstappen). There are in fact no less than four Ferrari-powered cars that finished in the top six positions. Results that further highlight the work done in Maranello.
Leclerc: "The work done by the guys was incredible"
It is the night of the predestined. Leclerc finally has the car to be able to do well. Obviously consistency is the most important factor, but now the Monegasque, this first victory of the season, just wants to enjoy it: “I'm really happy. The last 2 years have been incredibly difficult for us and we knew this could be a great opportunity for the team. The guys have done an incredible job building and delivering this amazing car to us. We started in the best possible way with pole, victory, fastest lap and one-two thanks to Carlos' second place. We couldn't have hoped for better. Thanks to everyone who supported us even though the last 2 years have been very difficult for us”.
Spanish certainty
That of Bahrain is not only the victory of Leclerc, but of a group. Of a team called Ferrari which also collects second place in the standings thanks to Carlos Sainz: “First of all I want to congratulate Charles. Ferrari is back, really. We scored a good one-two and these are the places the team should always occupy. We should have achieved these results in the last two years, but with hard work we have managed to come back. It was a complicated day for me. I won't lie, I didn't have the pace but I held on and managed to bring home a second place which allowed the team to get this one-two finish. I have a bit of work to do in the next few days, but I'm sure I'll come back even stronger".
Who has always believed in it
Another person who managed to take away a lot of satisfaction was the Ferrari team principal, Mattia Binotto who, at the end of the Grand Prix, declared: “I'm happy. Great team result. Personally I have never doubted the team. Maybe someone did. I know the team is strong, they worked together. I also believe that it has tightened up after the problems of 2020. Everything has been done to get to today prepared. Today, a better result could not have been hoped for. Nice to come to the race and know you can fight for the best result. Next week we are already in Jeddah, a completely different track. We are curious to see how we fare there. Then I'm already thinking of Imola. We really want to see our fans."
Well begun is half done. Ferrari got off to a great start. Now head to next, next week in Jeddah. A particular track, characterized by red flags and safety cars which maybe, like in Bahrain, can also help Ferrari...not that there's any need.
