F1 News

Ferrari doubtful of form going into next races

12 September 2019 at 12:40
  • Bevan Youl

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has expressed his concerns that the upcoming races may be difficult for the team with the circuits requiring more downforce than Spa and Monza.

The Scuderia had been made favourites to win in Belgium and Italy due to the high-speed nature of the circuits and Charles Leclerc provided for the team, winning both races.
 
Binotto said (quoted by Motorsport Week): “We knew that these tracks, we may have been competitive, but it was not a given.
 
“But secondly being more power-sensitive and having more straights was important for us.
 
“It was important for us not to miss any other opportunities as we missed in the first half [of the season]. I think the fact that we capitalised on the strengths of our car makes us very happy.”
 
But the upcoming Singapore, Russian and Japanese Grand Prix’s are more technical, requiring more downforce and less power, something that Ferrari has struggled with this year.
 
“But for the next races, I think it can be as the first part of the season,” Binotto added.
 
“There have been races, there has been Germany, Canada, Bahrain where we can maybe be still competitive, and others where the weaknesses of our car will not give us the possibility to go for the win. But difficult to guess which ones.
 
“I think it’s important for us to continue to develop the car, because we are understanding it, and give our drivers the best opportunity whenever they can.”