Ferrari F1 upgrades for Sochi “will not change the big picture”

Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto says some “small” upgrades the team is planning to bring to the Russian Grand Prix will “not change the big picture” for the Italian squad.

One of Ferrari’s worst starts to a season has left it occupying sixth place in the 2020 constructors’ championship after the opening nine rounds of the campaign.

A significant loss of engine power, as well as a lack of aerodynamic efficiency and set-up issues, have all resulted in the SF1000 being well off the pace of its main rivals and falling into the midfield pack.

Off the back of disappointing results at Spa-Francorchamps, Monza and Mugello, where the team has managed a total of just five points across the three races, Ferrari will introduce minor updates to its car for the Russian Grand Prix.

But Binotto has stressed that the changes will not address its 2020 challenger’s biggest weaknesses and has played down the impact of the team’s upgrade package for this weekend’s race at Sochi.

"There will be small upgrades, but this will not change the big picture," Binotto explained.

"I think we are at the moment out of pace in the race, and we are somehow wearing too much the tyres. The upgrades will not be the ones that address it.

"I think on our side we need to review the projects, with the view of 2021. I think it will take some more time to do it."

At its 1000th GP at Mugello, Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri said his team finds itself stuck “in a hole” and admitted it will be “tough” to turn things around before a major regulation overhaul in 2022.