Binotto: Ferrari won’t replicate performance at all tracks

Ferrari Formula 1 team principal Mattia Binotto does not believe the Scuderia is in a position to fight for victories at all tracks, despite its encouraging Austrian Grand Prix showing.

Charles Leclerc stormed to his second pole position of the season in Spielberg and looked on course to take both his and Ferrari’s first win of 2019 having controlled the race until a late charge from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen denied him victory.

Ferrari continued its push to reduce the deficit to current championship leaders Mercedes by bringing further performance upgrades to Austria. While the team appeared to make progress and outscored Mercedes for the first time this year, Binotto is remaining grounded about its chances at upcoming races.

“I think certainly the track characteristic is the main factor,” Binotto said.

“As I think we simply foreseen before, to come to Paul Ricard it would be a difficult weekend, we knew coming here [to Austria] that we may have a better chance.

“But we are aware as well we are improving our car so I think it’s a combination of two factors. After Paul Ricard we said the car has improved compared to Barcelona.

“In Austria we had new upgrades on the car that all went in the right direction, the driver confidence, there are a few things.

“Will we be able to fight and battle on all the tracks? I don’t think yet. There will be tracks where there are more difficult for us.

“But again, from now until then, we may bring some more development and I think we can only see race by race.”

Ferrari currently trails Mercedes by 135 points in the constructors’ standings, while Lewis Hamilton is 74 points clear of fourth-placed Sebastian Vettel.