Ferrari have struggled for pace recently but Domenicali believes they can bounce back. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Ferrari have not given up hopes of winning the Formula One world drivers’ title despite recent struggles, said team principal Stefano Domenicali on the team’s website.
World title hope Fernando Alonso, the twice former champion, failed to make it onto the podium in either of July’s races, allowing reigning three-time world champion Sebastian Vettel to open up his lead on the Spaniard in the overall standings to 39 points.
Kimi Raikonnen also moved a point ahead of him into second overall by finishing second in both races, while fourth placed Lewis Hamilton closed the gap with Alonso to nine points by winning the last race in Hungary.
Ferrari have struggled for pace recently but Domenicali believes they can bounce back.
“There is still everything to play for and we have gone through this before, as recently as last year,” said Domenicali.
“Nine races means that a total of 225 driver points are available and rest assured that the goals we set ourselves at the start of the season are still perfectly attainable.
“It’s true we’ve gone through a difficult period, especially in July, and now is the time to react in the way that Ferrari people know well.
“Our task is very simple — namely to give Fernando and Felipe the quickest car possible.”
The Formula One world championship moves to Belgium this weekend and the notorious wet Spa circuit.
McLaren wins in 2013 ‘will be very challenging’
On another note, McLaren’s managing director Jonathan Neale believes turning the team’s MP4-28 in to a race ‘will be a real challenge’, according to ESPNF1.
“I think that will be a real challenge, if I’m honest,” said Neale. “The areas that we’re working on this car are areas that either directly or indirectly are relevant to our 2014 campaign.
“Most teams by now will be switching the greater proportion of their resource and much of the design organisation across to next year’s car; we’re almost through August so it’s four months until the end of the year. There’s a lot of work to be done to get ready for next year so I think inevitably teams will start being increasingly focused on 2014.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2013.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ