Leclerc and Binotto laugh off fake Italian media reports

Ewan Gale
Saturday 9 July 2022 15:15

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has revealed how Charles Leclerc joined him in laughing over fake Italian newspaper reports when they recently met in Monaco.

The Italian media were scathing in their reviews of the Scuderia's British Grand Prix strategy after Carlos Sainz's maiden win, with more focus placed on Leclerc's freefall from first to fourth in the closing stages after being left on ageing hard tyres.

Reports suggested a rift between the two sides of the garage, with Binotto flying in to meet Leclerc at his home in Monaco.

But a dismissive Binotto explained: "I meet the drivers after each race and have a discussion to review the race situation.

"Charles was in Monaco and in the back-to-back [races], it was the best opportunity for me to meet him, simply to go there.

"We had dinner, we were laughing together reading the newspapers because we knew that [what was being written] was completely wrong.

"He was very happy to meet and discuss, move forward and be constructive on some of the scenarios and the best chance for us to be strong in the following races."

Binotto disappointed by media reports

One media report suggested Leclerc's side of the garage had refused to join in the celebrations for Sainz's win at Silverstone.

Binotto confirmed he had checked to see if those rumours were true and having debunked them, he revealed his disappointment.

"That was not true and when I heard and read it, [I was] surprised but I had to check because you never know, it might have been something I missed," he said.

"But I checked and it was not the case at all.

"So surprised and disappointed to read that there are things written that do not correspond to what was happening.

"We were not fully happy at the time because we lost an opportunity under the safety car but very happy for Carlos winning his first race.

"The entire team was there cheering Carlos, so no issues there."