2022 is not just a new season, it brings a new set of rules and regulations for the teams; in the overhaul of the car itself we can see an emphasis on ground effect and reengineered nose and wings, among other modifications. In this plan to make the next season more competitive, with more overtaking, Binotto says the Scuderia’s work is well under way.

“2022 is progressing and that’s the time when you are normally freezing the chassis geometries and the entire concept of the car, suspension layout, cooling layout so let’s say the concept is certainly a lot advanced,” he said.

“While the concept is frozen the chassis is in production. It’s time we continue working on bodyshape, on the aerodynamics, the wings, bodywork etc, and no doubt we are working a lot on the power unit – power unit next year will be brand new in concept and design…” he added.

Ferrari is also working on a new engine upgrade they hope will give them the necessary push they need to make gains in the  power stakes and Mattia details the importance of that in their plans of becoming a championship-contender team.

“For us it will be important to make the most important step we can, knowing that is somehow the ultimate gap in terms of performance on the power unit,” Binotto added.

"Objective is to try and cap that disadvantage, to close it, so that’s why on the engine we are working hard and that is a key moment where not only you need to find performance but to start to fully homologate the reliability of the product for next season.”

Ferrari’s Team Boss explained that they are yet to have a race where they will be able to get the new engine going, adding the challenges they are to face.

“We are working very hard to have them ready as soon as possible,” he said.

“It’s a change in technology on the hybrid side. In order to introduce them we need as first to transport the materials and, being dangerous materials, we need full homologations and certification for it, so it’s not only a matter of developing the hybrid system on the dynos and to somehow prove the reliability but there are a lot of aspects that need to be addressed to have them available on track.

“At the moment, there is not a race that is decided. It will be as soon as possible because we believe that running it as much as we can this season will be of interest for next season. Hopefully it will be in the next races, and very soon,” concluded Binotto.

The Italian squad are arriving to this weekend’s Grand Prix in Sochi in fourth place of the constructors’ championship, with a deficit of 13.5 points to McLaren’s third place.