Ever since the season began the excuses have been coming thick and fast. Initially it was the aero, then it was finally admitted that Ferrari's lack of pace is down to the fact that the Italian team has never recovered from last year's numerous technical directives and the subsequent investigation of its engine.

Now, just days after the inevitable management restructure, company chairman, John Elkann has admitted that it will be 2022, when the rules are radically overhauled, before his team can realistically begin to target wins.

"We are going through a difficult period that starts far back," he tells Gazzetta dello Sport in a masterpiece of understatement.

"We have not won a constructors' world championship since 2008 or a drivers' one since 2007.

"There has been Red Bull's winning cycle thanks to aerodynamic capacity and then Mercedes for their great ability in hybrid engine technologies.

"This year we are not competitive thanks to project errors," he admits. "We have had a number of structural weaknesses that have existed for some time in aerodynamics and in the dynamics of the vehicle. We have also lost out in engine power.

"The reality is that our car is not competitive," hre continues. "You saw it on the track and you will see it again.

"Today we are laying the foundations for being competitive and returning to winning when the rules change in 2022. I am convinced of this."

While some will point to the development freeze that teams are basically stuck with this year's cars - and all their inherent faults - for next season also, Elkann admits that his team's problems are more deeply rooted.

"We must be realistic and aware of the structural weaknesses with which we have been living for a decade, and which the transition to hybrid has underlined," he says.

"We have given the okay to the new rules that will start from 2022, because we believe it is right that there is greater competitiveness within F1. We do not see the limitation of budget caps as a constraint on our ability to win. We take it as a challenge.

"Our engineers, our mechanics and our drivers will find strength and creativity within those bonds to bring Ferrari back up. Personally I have never seen in the last 10 years such a cohesive and strong spirit.

"The fans are suffering as much as we are," he admits, "but we know they are close to us. This is why it is important to be clear and honest with them. A long path awaits us.

"When Todt opened that historic cycle in 2000, we came from a fast that had lasted for over twenty years from 1979. It took time from him landing in Maranello in 1993 to Ferrari's return to success.

"The important thing then is to work on and off the track, in a cohesive way, building the Ferrari we want to step-by-step."

Finally, as the Italian media continues to point the finger at team boss, Mattia Binotto, Elkann insists he has complete faith in him.

"Total trust," he says. "also, because Mattia Binotto, who has taken the helm of the Scuderia for a year, has all the skills and characteristics to start a new winning cycle. He was in Ferrari with Todt and Schumi. He knows how to win and from next year he will work with two drivers who are young and ambitious like us."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Marcspangs, 28/07/2020 19:53

"Somewhat has to be toxic news to the revenue crazy f1 firm.

If the fans of the biggest team aren’t looking to win for a few years, why bother watching the pain? Its not like they are as stubborn as merseyside fans, no?"

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2. Posted by C5, 28/07/2020 19:22

"Given how things have been running the past decade, if 'winning' means 'taking both championships the same year' I suspect the headline would be equally relevant if it said 'Ferrari won't return to winning until rules change in 2220' :-)"

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3. Posted by KKK, 28/07/2020 19:16

"It just proves that the Italians couldnt organise a p**s up in a brewery! They need someone with power to steady the ship. Unless they do that, they will always be midfield runners. shame."

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4. Posted by elsiebc, 28/07/2020 15:30

"Limited engine upgrades, limited car upgrades, and limited budgets produces limited results."

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5. Posted by Wokingchap, 28/07/2020 11:38

" "This team can realistically begin to target wins" = cheat.

"We are laying the foundations for being competitive and returning to winning when the rules change in 2022" = cheat.

"The important thing then is to work on and off the track, in a cohesive way, building the Ferrari we want to step-by-step." = cheat.
"

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Ferrari won't return to winning until rules change in 2022

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