Binotto says Sebastian Vettel did 'not deliver his best'

Mattia Binotto summed up Sebastian Vettel’s Austrian GP when he said the German did not deliver “his best” on Sunday.

Vettel and Ferrari are facing a difficult period this year, not only because the SF1000 is not living up expectations but it is also the German’s final season with Ferrari.

Vettel revealed prior to the Austrian GP that, contrary to earlier reports, their split was not a mutual decision, rather he was informed by Binotto that Ferrari did not wish to offer him a new deal.

Binotto says the worldwide pandemic and finances led to Ferrari changing its tune about wanting to re-sign the German.

Binotto’s comments swung the sympathy vote in Vettel’s favour.

His antics on Sunday swung it back in Ferrari’s.

Racing his 2021 Ferrari replacement Carlos Sainz for position at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday, Vettel spun and fell down the order.

Welcome to the midfield Sebastian. pic.twitter.com/osSjdzRlhg

— Grand Prix Diary (@GrandPrixDiary) July 5, 2020

He recovered to finish P10 but given that only 11 drivers finished the grand prix and his team-mate Charles Leclerc was second, it was a case of what could have been.

Binotto says his driver wasn’t at his best.

“I think he wasn’t comfortable with the car, the balance of the car, the set-up of the car was not as driveable as it was on Friday,” the Italian told Sky Sports F1.

“When driving in such conditions, he’s not delivering on his best.

“The spin and the contact was certainly not a great action from his side. I think he’s conscious of it.

“I think it’s a shame because today it could’ve been important to score points, especially maybe when our direct competitors are not scoring much points.

“It’s really a shame, but now we need to understand why the car was not behaving.”

Vettel, though, says the car was the problem and not his driving.

“Well to be honest I’m happy that I spun only once,” he said after the grand prix.

“It was very difficult. It got very tight, I think Carlos turned in and I was just on the edge because I wanted to be as close as possible, and lost the rear.

“But to be honest I lost the rear a couple of times today. So as I said, I’m happy it happened only once.”

Asked what had changed between practice and race day, he said: “We don’t know, we need to have a good look.

“But for sure the car was really difficult today.”

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