Ferrari still searching for 2019 F1 car performance answers

Ferrari is still seeking answers over the performance of its 2019 Formula 1 car after updates at the French Grand Prix proved inconclusive, according to team boss Mattia Binotto.

The Italian squad brought a series of upgrades - including a new floor, revised front and rear wings and brake ducts - to Paul Ricard, but ended up reverting back to its old-spec floor after a “mixed” day of back-to-back tests during Friday practice.

While Ferrari was unable to significantly reduce its deficit to Mercedes at a track it was anticipating to struggle at, Binotto insists the Scuderia is beginning to head in the right direction.

“We brought some upgrades, some of them worked well, others not,” Binotto said.

“We removed the floor from the car after Friday practices. I think it’s always a shame when something is not working so we’ve got some homework to do in that respect but that’s ensuring that we’ve got some margin to improve the car.

“At least the direction that we are starting to set is the right one. Still much to do but overall I think that I cannot say it was a positive weekend but I think not too bad as well considering initial expectations.

“I don’t think we’ve got all the answers from this weekend because the floor was not working properly and somehow there is a lack of answers.”

Ferrari will continue to evaluate new test items at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, a circuit which should better suit the team’s 2019 challenger.

“We are happy to be getting back on track so quickly, because it’s the best way to put ourselves to the test again to try and understand the elements that did not go according to plan in France,” Binotto said.

“We have various test items to evaluate, mainly in order to give us a clearer picture as to why some of the updates we brought to Le Castellet did not work as expected.”

Binotto also revealed Ferrari is now considering sacrificing some of its straight-line speed advantage in order to find added downforce, an area Mercedes is currently excelling in.

“I think we are looking for eventually more downforce to the determent of the speed,” he explained.

“We knew the car wouldn’t be too efficient but giving more downforce to make the tyres working, that would be the direction to go.

“I think again here on Saturday we’ve seen how difficult it is to make the tyres working. I think that is somehow something on which we are focused on.”