'Ferrari now scared of Red Bull and worried about Verstappen's pace'

Ferrari made the decision to call Charles Leclerc in early at the Italian Grand Prix when Sebastian Vettel's stalled car caused a Virtual Safety Car. The Monegasque was put on mediums with 40 laps to go.

It was a questionable strategy that eventually led to a two-stop, while Verstappen only had to come in for one pit stop. In the closing stages of the race, Daniel Ricciardo caused a safety car, causing the two rivals to both come in once more for new tyres. A battle on track did not materialise, however, as the race was finished behind the safety car.

'It's like Ferrari is afraid of Red Bull'

Bird tells in the BBC's Chequered Flag podcast that he is disappointed there was no fight between Red Bull and Ferrari. "[It’s like] they’re scared of Red Bull now, like they’re so worried with the pace Verstappen has underneath him that they feel like they need to do something outside the box to win one race now."

Bird understands that Ferrari wanted to take advantage of a VSC period, but the Briton understands little about the Italians' choice of tyres. "Yet again – and I love Ferrari and it pains me to say this – Ferrari, unfortunately, have fallen away in a year that looked so promising."

"They have done it before when Sebastian Vettel drove for them quite a few years ago. Again, this year they looked promising, but they don’t seem to have that ability to continue the development mid-phase through the season. And also mistakes are in there – there have been too many errors this year.”