Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto is confident there will be opportunities for more wins before the end of 2019.
After finishing a minute behind Lewis Hamilton on the twists and turns of Hungary, the Italian team capitalised on their big chances to avoid ending the year winless as Charles Leclerc took the chequered flag at both Spa and Monza.
With most of the circuits between now and Abu Dhabi requiring at least a medium level of downforce though, Binotto denies the past two races were Ferrari’s only realistic win chances.
“It’s important for us not to miss any other opportunities as we missed in the first part of the season, and the fact that we capitalised on the strengths of our car in these two races makes us very happy,” he was quoted by PlanetF1.
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“What will be for the next races? I think it can be as good as the first part of the season.
“There will be races as it has been in Germany, as it has been in Canada, Bahrain, where maybe we can still be competitive, and races where the weaknesses of our car will not give us the possibilities to go for the win.
“But it’s difficult to guess which one.
“It’s important for us to continue to develop the car, continue to understand it, try to have the best balance, and give our drivers the best opportunities whenever they come.”
The Ferrari boss also believes the aero department should get some credit for their recent successes, insisting it wasn’t simply down to the engine alone.
“I think we should thank not only the new engine, which gives us speed and strength on the straights, but as well I think all the aerodynamic department because the low downforce package we brought has proved to be a good one for the high speed,” Binotto claimed.
“Certainly the speed you may have seen on the straight is not only down to the engine, but also the aero package we brought.”
This weekend’s Singapore GP is expected to be one where the Italian team is left behind, although they are bringing some updates for the street circuit.
But Vettel, who is now the only one of F1’s top five drivers without a win this season, agrees his chance will come.
“I think we still have some races coming where we will be probably more competitive than others, but overall it’s just about getting a good weekend,” he said.
“I think the speed is there, so I’m not worried, it’s honestly just a matter of putting things together, but we have a lot of races and a lot of time.”
However, former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has questioned whether his friend still has it, believing a key moment earlier this year has impacted him.
“He seems to have lost something and the worst thing that happened to him was the punishment in Montreal,” he told Auto Motor und Sport.
“The punishment there was completely wrong and unnecessary. It somehow damaged Sebastian’s faith in the sport.
“His action was not dangerous. Everyone else would have reacted like him. Lewis was clever, making it look dangerous.”