Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto acknowledges the team is “in the midst of a storm” as they struggle for performance in 2020.
Last weekend, the Italian team scored its worst finish with both cars finishing in over a decade at Spa-Francorchamps in 13th and 14th, and expectations for their home race at Monza this Sunday aren’t any higher.
At the heart of Ferrari’s problems is an underpowered engine, this after having to make substantial changes following an FIA investigation following questions over the legality of last year’s unit.
However, Binotto insists the Scuderia is now focused on recovering the situation and can pull through.
“Is there a crisis? No, there isn’t,” the team principal told Sky Italy. “It’s a very bad result during an extremely tough season.
“We knew it would be from the winter tests, Covid and the new regulations. We have to have tight deadlines, we’re in the midst of a storm, but we have to look ahead and work hard for our futures.”
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Giving an update on Ferrari’s problems, he continued: “We’re short on speed and aerodynamic efficiency. My message for the fans is that we understand them and we’re sorry. What’s happening is the car has lost power compared with 2019, just as they all have.
“We partially accounted for those [aerodynamic] limits with a superior engine. We have to improve in this regard.
“I take responsibility for myself and all the team in Maranello,” Binotto added. “We’re very united. There’s no tension, but there is a feeling of disappointment and frustration, which we have to turn into determination.
“It’s a tough period and we’re looking into what we want to do.”
One man who hasn’t been shy to kick Ferrari while they’re down is Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who blamed “certain people” within the team for their sudden drop.
However, Binotto, who is likely one of those the Austrian is referring to, wasn’t interested in responding.
“I know that there are people in other teams who like to talk about our situation and our fans,” Motorsport-Total.com quoted him as telling Sky Italia.
“There’s nothing I want to say to him. I know what’s going on. I’m a fan myself and I know exactly what’s going on with us.
‘I’ve been working in this factory for 25 years. We know our priorities and we know that there are no secrets in Formula 1. You just have to develop as quickly as possible and try to set the right priorities.”
