Ferrari happy with Mercedes return: 'Can take points away from Red Bull'

4 July 2022 at 13:35

Last update 4 July 2022 at 15:23

GPblog.com

Ferrari is pleased that Mercedes has solved the main problems with its W13. The problems with porpoising seem to have all but disappeared and thanks to the update package introduced at Silverstone, the gap with Ferrari and Red Bull Racing has narrowed considerably.

Mercedes at the front of the grid

Ferrari don't seem to be too upset about having to deal with two teams instead of one at the front of the grid. Speaking to Sky Sports , Binotto said: "I am happy that Mercedes are back. They were very competitive today in the race. It is great for the championship but they can take off some points as well to our direct competitors."

In the constructors' championship, Ferrari is 63 points behind Red Bull and in the drivers' field the difference between number three Charles Leclerc and front-runner Max Verstappen is 43 points. For the Maranello-based team, it would be advantageous if more Mercedes cars finished ahead of the RB18s in the twelve remaining Grands Prix of the season. The gap to Red Bull in the World Championship will then be closed more quickly.

Mercedes is making great strides, but Ferrari is not sure how long Toto Wolff's team can keep up. There is a limit to how much money can be spent on updates. "Also Mercedes is back, they are bringing new cars in every race, I don't know how they will manage the budget cap, they have corrected the main problems."

Austria is Red Bull country

Next weekend there will be another race. The venue will be the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. It will be the eleventh of a total of 22 Grands Prix in 2022. "Red Bull and the Mercedes were very fast. In Austria it will be another close fight, we hope to repeat this good show. We will try to do the best." In the last four years, victory went to Max Verstappen three times. Ferrari have not won since the return of the Austrian GP to the calendar (in 2014).