Though second place in the team standings is secure, it is unlikely that Charles Leclerc will overhaul Max Verstappen to claim third in the Drivers' Championship, the youngster currently 11 points adrift of the Red Bull driver.

Though Ferrari mounted an impressive revival after the summer break, a string of technical directives in recent weeks has cast doubt on the legality of its engine. Indeed, since the directives started flowing, Ferrari's performance, despite the constant denials, has noticeably dropped off.

With Mercedes having claimed a record six successive championship doubles, Mattia Binotto insists that being second isn't good enough for the Maranello team.

"Finishing second will never be good enough for Ferrari," said the Italian as he looked ahead to this weekend's season finale in Abu Dhabi, a circuit that has never really favoured his team, "and we are looking ahead to a very intense winter to keep building as a group.

"The aim is to come back stronger to be up to the challenges that await us," he added.

"Of course there were highs and lows," he admits, "the first part of the season did not go the way we wanted, but I certainly value the way we all stood together, rolled up our sleeves and fought back.

"Particularly noteworthy was the way we reacted after the summer break, with three race wins in a row and a run of six consecutive poles positions, as well as our win in Monza, just days after the incredible celebration of the 90 years of the Scuderia, in Milan, in front of a huge crowd."

Of course, other than the fuel flow issue, Binotto has to deal with two feuding drivers, having held 'clear the air' discussions with the pair following their Interlagos clash.

With virtually no regulation changes next season, Ferrari will be hard-pressed to fend off the ever-improving Red Bull-Honda challenge, far less mount an assault on Mercedes' dominance.

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Fambank, 27/11/2019 11:24

"@ Editor.

A thousand thanks !

Now I can enjoy my go-to number one source on F1 again to the fullest. :)"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by Editor, 27/11/2019 9:39

"@ Fambank

Apologies but this was down to the wretched Taboola 'ads' not the layout.

We have now removed the ads whilst they resolve the issue.

Personally, who cares what the fat bloke off that TV programme, or that pretty girl from the other looks like these days. ;-)"

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by Fambank, 27/11/2019 9:14

"Posting, or ready a comment has become nigh on impossible with the current layout. Please fix this.

As to the article, Leclerc has of yet to experiance real, pressure. Let's see how he does when the
whole of Italy and then some demand results. As for Vettel, I expect him to race another year, and
then check out."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

Finishing second will never be good enough, says Binotto

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page