Ferrari “disappointed, angry” as it identifies Vettel, Leclerc issues

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says “the entire team is bitterly disappointed” following the double mechanical heartache it suffered during qualifying for the German Grand Prix as it identifies two new problems both of which it had never faced before.

Sebastian Vettel was denied the chance to set a lap time in Q1 due to an intercooler issue, while Charles Leclerc was struck with mechanical disaster due to a faulty fuel pump control unit.

Binotto has confirmed Ferrari is running thorough investigations into both problems which he says the team has never faced before today’s qualifying at Hockenheim.

“We are now carrying out an in-depth analysis of what happened. What we do know is that they were two completely different problems, neither of which had ever occurred before,” Binotto said.

“The first indications from Sebastian’s car lead us to believe it could be related to a component on the intercooler. The component is to the same specification as those used previously and it was fitted new. Charles had a problem with the fuel pump control unit.

“At the moment the entire team is bitterly disappointed. We feel especially sorry for our drivers who were in with the chance of doing something special for the people back in the factory who are working so hard and for all our fans.”

Having seen Ferrari dominate practice in Germany, Binotto feels the untimely mechanical breakdowns delivered extra punishment in a frustrating campaign for the Italian manufacturer. Ferrari remains winless in 2019 as it slips further out of contention in the Formula 1 world title fight against Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton claiming pole position at Hockenheim.

“We have shown this weekend that our race pace is good, which makes it even more frustrating that we were not able to show what we could do in qualifying,” he said.

“We are angry with ourselves and I myself feel responsible for what has happened. But I am also aware that we must react calmly and do our best tomorrow. That’s what we’re here to do.”