Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has praised the fight within his team as he reflected on a tough 2019 season.
After pre-season testing, it appeared the Scuderia would be the team to beat but very quickly those expectations had to be tempered as a poor chassis left them trailing Mercedes and Red Bull.
Strong progress has been made, however, and Binotto admits his focus has been on the long-term competitiveness of Ferrari in his first year in charge.
"Abu Dhabi is the last race of what has been a long season for everyone," he commented.
"For us at Scuderia Ferrari, it was a year of new beginnings, with team members taking on new roles and Charles [Leclerc] in his first year with us and our aim was to build the foundations for the future.
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"Of course, there were highs and lows: 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."
More recently, scrutiny over the legality of Ferrari's engine and tensions between Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel, including a collision in Brazil, have taken some shine away from the success they enjoyed.
And Binotto knows there is still plenty of work ahead to put the Prancing Horse back on top.
"Of course finishing second will never be good enough for Ferrari and we are looking ahead to a very intense winter to keep building as a group," he continued.
"The aim is to come back stronger to be up to the challenges that await us."
