Ferrari will be keen to rescue its slide in the sport, or at least do something noteworthy after a miserable 2020 season.
While the team hasn’t set the world buzzing following its display in Bahrain during pre-season testing, it is fair to say that they have been stable.
Ferrari was obviously expected to bounce back after finishing sixth in the constructors’ championship last season. However, pre-season testing may not always be indicative of how races will play out.
Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto is wary that the team will not be able to exorcise all demons from last season immediately.
“We are now at the start of a new season, you have got a different car, you’ve got new hope, so it’s normal that now the atmosphere is certainly better,” Binotto said.
“But we know it will be a long season, 23 races; it may be very difficult again, so I think we need to be prepared, be focused on what is our objective — which is long-term — and then not forget it.”
At least one can safely assume that things can only go up from here. Ferrari is a reputed team that invests plenty of resources in the sport and they are unlikely to face a similar string of results this year.
The engine troubles may not be completely behind them yet and they might not be ready to challenge for the title. However, a third-place finish could work well for the team as it looks to rescue its reputation in the sport.
It also helps that they have a fresh face in Carlos Sainz. While Sebastian Vettel is a driver of high pedigree, there was something amiss right from the beginning of his 6-year spell with the team.
Where do you think Ferrari will find itself at the end of the season?