As team boss Marco Mattiacci seeks to get Ferrari back to the top, Technical Director James Allison's concerns are more immediate.

Under intense pressure from Force India for third place in the Constructors' Championship, and with McLaren and Williams looking set to close in, the Englishman is aware that no effort can be spared in fending off those behind never mind closing the gap to those ahead.

"Every season is dominated by the efforts back at the factory to try to improve the package," he told the team's website. "If you're in front you work to stay in front and if you're not, then your efforts are aimed at moving your way up the grid.

"Currently, we're doing our level best across every aspect of the car: mechanically, aerodynamically, electronically, every single component, set up wise, everything we can do to try to improve is being done. In recent races we have brought more upgrades than usual to the track and this has improved our position marginally.

"We just need to keep fighting the same fight," he continued. "We have upgrade plans race by race. If we do a good job with all of those, it will start to tell and we will start to see Ferrari run more consistently relatively to the opposition. But it's not an easy fight, and it's a fight that never ends."

Looking ahead specifically to this weekend's race at the Red Bull Ring, he said: "We will have the Soft and Supersoft Pirellis, just as we did in the last two races. We cannot be sure what to expect but, as at any of the tracks this year, management of the option in qualifying will be extremely important. You need to ensure you get the tyre prepared for a hot lap in Q2, while being sure the tyre can then cope with the first stint of the race."

Chris Balfe