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Team boss Maurizio Arrivabene has warned that Ferrari may struggle this weekend at Silverstone.
Thanks to Mercedes' double failure, Sebastian Vettel left Austria on Sunday with a 1 point lead in the world championship.
But as F1's first ever triple header ends in Britain this weekend, Ferrari's Arrivabene is not sure Vettel can keep the lead.
"On paper, Silverstone looks quite difficult for us. Aerodynamics are very important and it will be a difficult race for us, so we have to stay focused," Arrivabene told Sky Italia.
But he says a question mark about reliability at least now hangs over Mercedes, even though the German team was bullish about its big upgrade package in Austria.
"Sometimes you speak too loudly," said the Italian. "In formula one you can bring an interesting upgrade package but maybe it gets too warm and you stop."
Arrivabene also defended Ferrari's decision not to use 'team orders' in Austria, even though moving Kimi Raikkonen aside would have given Vettel a bigger points lead.
"We decided to let Kimi, who is a world champion, drive. They both fought the whole race," he said.
Vettel would have preferred to have done better simply by starting higher on the grid, but he was penalised three grid places for blocking Carlos Sainz in qualifying.
"Oh, I could talk about it for a long time," the German driver said.
"Even Sainz said it was nothing. Ok some complained, but complaining is not motor racing. We should let the drivers sort it out between us."
Vettel also said he was happy that Ferrari didn't issue team orders last Sunday.
"No, why?" he said when asked if he wanted Raikkonen to move.
"Kimi drove as fast as he could and so did I. Without the three lost (grid) places, we could have won," Vettel added.
"Our race speed is right, but in qualifying we are currently a bit behind. So we need to roll up our sleeves.
"At Silverstone, we are not usually the best, so Mercedes is the favourite there I think."
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
59 members have this team as their favourite
Replies (10)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yeah, major props to Ferrari for not doing what they usually are pretty keen on. Though not as keen as to openly command their B-teams to move aside for them....Ah HAHA... WOLFF!
As they say, I expect this race will be as hard for them as the previous race. Silverstone has some decent straights and decent aero requirements, and Mercedes now seem to have both.. Again. But where will Hammy be when the fuel pressure drops again, pray tell?
Exqiu
Posts: 14
I think Mercedes will run their engines in conservative mode at Silverstone, and maybe it’ll be a closer fight.
reg
Posts: 162
What a change to the scene a year brings!
Hamilton failing and Merc breaking down.
All delicious stuff and some say F! is boring!
juju_hound
Posts: 180
Yeah it is boring sometimes!! After couple boring races we finally had a good race in Austria with some drama. However I have to admit the race itself without Mercedes problems wouldn't be that good.
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
of course Silverstone will be a Merc walkover, they have their special tyres back.
f1ski
Posts: 726
I feel the combo of increased power altitude slipped Merc into failure electronics for Lewis and perhaps for Botha's as well. Ferrari best hope for a heat wave or a low downforce package that works better than last years attempt. Perhaps hamilton lost fuel pressure because he ran out!
RogerF1
Posts: 501
They’ll definitely get a heat wave at Silverstone. Uk is basking in a massive heat wave for 2 weeks and another week or two to follow at 28C (77F for US) and that’s Sunday forecast as well. Not a cloud in the sky, glorious. Very un-British. Hope this works for Ferrari.
Smiler121
Posts: 53
I'll be there with my son Lewis, no prizes for guessing who we'll be cheering for. Weather is forecast to be 25 Celsius Sat & Sun with clear skies ? Fingers crossed it is a close race won on merit not retirements or penalties!
boudy
Posts: 1,168
The other thing that I noticed again is that the Mercs are not that great in traffic. It's only when they are in front they seem to be getting their way. However it looks like Redbull have moved closer to the front, the last race was more of an power circuit and they weren't an easy overtake. For sure they had to trim out out their car but none the less it was still the case.
On the Merc side it looks like they are finally being pushed and that their engine isn't that far in front anymore in relation to others. That's why the midfield has become such an close fight and the one of the other reasons (vs chassis/driver) why the Williams has fallen back.
For me it's still open on who will end up the champion, it's a lot closer now between the top 3 teams. However on circuits were horsepower isn't the main driver it looks like Redbull has the best chance. On other circuits it seems to be split between Merc/Ferrari. Silverstone is crucial for all teams to see were they are after their recent chassis/powerunit updates. Redbull will have to take penalties in order to get their hands on the latest Renault parts but they might be better of waiting and let their factory team sort out the issues with it first.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
whats the deal with F1today's boycott of Austrian GP?