Ferrari “disappointed and angry” at worst F1 result in 10 years

Ferrari was left “disappointed and angry” after suffering its worst result in Formula 1 for a decade at the Belgian Grand Prix, according to team principal Mattia Binotto.

The Italian outfit had already slumped to its worst qualifying result of the season on Saturday as both its cars were eliminated in Q2 at Spa-Francorchamps, and things failed to improve in Sunday’s race.

Sebastian Vettel headed home Charles Leclerc in 13th place with both drivers finishing directly behind Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen as the 7km power-hungry circuit exposed the team’s well-documented straightline speed deficiency this year.

"We are disappointed and angry, as indeed are our fans and with good reason," Binotto said.

"It's a difficult moment in a season that we knew from the start would be a tough one, but it's at times like this that we need to stand firm and look ahead in order to get over this difficult period.

"It's the only way we will get out of this situation."

Its result at Spa marked the first occasion since the 2010 British Grand Prix that Ferrari has failed to score points when both their cars finished the race, though Fernando Alonso was hit with a drive-through penalty in that race.

The 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the last time that Ferrari missed out on points on performance alone, with Raikkonen and Giancarlo Fisichella taking 12th and 16th.

Ferrari currently occupies fifth place in the constructors’ championship but is just two points clear of Renault. The team has not finished outside of the top four in the championship since 1981.

Leclerc said that Ferrari was so far down on power that overtaking proved difficult even with the aid of DRS along the Kemmel Straight.

"It was extremely frustrating, as it has been a very difficult weekend for us," Leclerc explained.

"The race was not any easier as we've had issues on the two pit stops that we made, which made me lose quite a lot of lap time and positions.

"I tried to catch back up, but it is very difficult for us to overtake, even with the DRS. We need to work and find something because like this it is very difficult."

Meanwhile, teammate Vettel urged the importance of the team remaining united amid a difficult period.

"We have to work hard, as there are a lot of lessons this weekend, so we have to make sure we stay strong, stay together and do the best that we can," Vettel said.

"We have two important races coming up for the team in the next two weeks so that is where we focus, but we also have to be realistic as we cannot expect miracles.

"The package is what it is, we are not as strong as we would like to be, so we need to stay optimistic and see the good things, even if at the minute there are not many."