Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto says the squad’s SF90H is an evolution of last year’s package, but has “extreme” solutions, as part of its quest to win the Formula 1 title.
Binotto spent the last two-and-a-half years as Ferrari’s Chief Technical Officer, overseeing an improvement in form that resulted in six wins and the runner-up spot last season.
It was its most successful campaign in the decade since it last claimed either of Formula 1's world titles.
Binotto has been promoted to the role of Team Principal for 2019, replacing Maurizio Arrivabene, and asserted that last season’s SF71H has provided a strong baseline – albeit with the need to push further.
“Starting in 2018, we got really good achievements and it’s a development of last year’s car, it’s not a revolution,” said Binotto.
“I think we simply tried to push again to raise the bar, to raise the level, try to be as extreme as we could.
“Obviously there are a few changes which are straightforward, there is the front wing that for technical regulations has changed since last time.
“But I think if you look at it in all the details certainly we tried to push very hard.
“The roll hoop is very narrow and very slim. If you look as well at the bodywork on the back it’s very, very slim.
“That is thanks to the entire job – which you cannot see because it’s below – in terms of power unit installation, packaging.
“A lot of effort has been done and I think the final shape is the result of all this effort. We like it.”
Race drivers Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc were also present at the launch of the SF90H, with Vettel commenting: “Obviously you start to see little bits of the car at the end of last year, then you see it slowly coming together, today is the first time [we see all of it].
“I’m very excited, it’s obviously incredible to see when everything gets together, now I’m really excited and I can’t wait to get in.”
