Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto ended the German Grand Prix weekend happy for Sebastian Vettel after starting it by criticising him.
The four-time world champion has had a tough run of results, which was capped off by crashing into the back of Max Verstappen at Silverstone in another of a line of mistakes over the past year.
And as teammate Charles Leclerc established himself with a run of four straight podiums, that caused Binotto to say this to reporters on Friday.
“What we have to do is be honest and say: ‘We expect more from him’ and maybe he has not been as good as he was in qualifying,” he said.
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At his home race, things went from bad to worse as a turbo issue meant he started at the back of the grid, but rain on Sunday changed everything as he made his way through to an eventual second place finish.
“It was a very crazy, chaotic race. We are very happy for Seb,” Binotto stated. “I think it was important for him to have a good weekend here.
“It was very disappointing yesterday. Starting from the back of the field, what he achieved, is certainly a good boost for him.
“He was happy on the podium. We are very happy for him, and I’m sure that will help him in the next races.”
As for Leclerc, he suffered the first bump since Monaco as he was the Ferrari driver sliding helplessly into the barrier in the tricky conditions this time around.
“He came directly to the pit wall after the accident, we just looked at each other, that was enough, there were no words needed. There is nothing left to add,” Binotto told Speed Week.
“He knows for sure that this is going to happen. Today is a missed opportunity for him but he will receive many more opportunities.
“He is an incredibly fast boy, who has shown his skills today despite the mistake.”