Leclerc and Sainz "free to fight" for Imola victory

Will Gray
Sunday 17 April 2022 13:30

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has indicated Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will be free to fight for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix victory.

Leclerc is leading the championship after two wins from three races while Sainz fell back with retirement in Australia.

F1 returns to Ferrari's spiritual home of Imola four the fourth race of the year and Binotto has promised the passionate Tifosi the two cars will be permitted to battle each other.

“They are free to fight and that is important for us,” said Binotto.

“For Carlos, I think it is really important for him to put the speed and the pace and I think it really will come back.

“Charles is very focused right now, he is driving very well. Last year was important for him and for his growth and if you look as well in term of tyre management he has been very good.

“I will enjoy, then, the battle for a good and fair position in the championship.”

Binotto – Ferrari may not be “unstoppable” at Imola

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner declared the Ferrari cars “unstoppable” around Albert Park, where the team found a sweet spot with limited tyre degradation.

Binotto is well aware Ferrari's rivals will be looking to bounce back after seeing Max Verstppen retire for the second time in two races and added: “I don’t know if [we] will be unstoppable.

“Each single race will be different but it will be great to be in Imola now with such a great start to the season, after a win, to go there, there will be a lot of Tifosi.

“I just remember where we are coming in the morning and entering the paddock with all the fans there, it’s a great emotion. So we are very happy, we are looking forward to it and we hope that there will be a lot of Tifosi there.”