Mattia Binotto: Sainz’ mistakes have to do with pressure

According to Mattia Binotto, he knows why Carlos Sainz makes mistakes at the start of the new season.

On Friday, the Spanish Ferrari driver set a second fastest time in the second part of qualifying, but attempted another quick lap in a row as it was about to start raining. However, it ended in the last corner of the track and a wrecked car.

The result he showed in the second session enabled him to progress to the final, so Carlos will start from 10th position, although he didn’t get on track in the third part of qualifying.

This was Sainz’s second serious mistake in the last two stages of the championship: in Australia, already on the 3rd lap of the race, he withdrew from the Grand Prix after a corner when he failed to keep the car on the track because he attacked too aggressively, trying to recover from a failed start.

Contrary to Charles Leclerc’s excellent results, Carlos’ performance at the start of the season does not suit him or his team. However, Binotto tries to support him and explains in his own way what is happening: “I don’t think it is worth talking about any problems, but it is clear that he has to adapt.

He made a few mistakes, this is an important point, but nevertheless I think he is trying to improve. He goes faster and faster, and if you remember the events of yesterday, when he went to the track, he showed really high speeds.

It’s a shame it all happened. In my opinion, when he flew off the track, it was not the right time to attack aggressively at the limit, and he knows this very well.

I think the errors have to do with pressure. Perhaps for the first time in his career, he got a car that allows him to fight for the best positions. He just needs to get used to it, but he will do it very quickly because I know he is very smart and can handle pressure well.

Before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Ferrari announced a contract extension with Sainz for another two years – according to Binotto it was important to show him that the team believed in him: “We are very happy with Carlos, the way he the team, and that’s how he performs.

It was the right time to take care of the future and I think the extension of his contract will bring stability to the team. Both drivers will be with us until the end of 2024 – I believe Ferrari’s main task is to try to lay the foundations for the future. And the best we can do is keep this lineup.”