Ferrari problems have lasted all year, Binotto admits

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto says the "obvious" flaws with the team's 2019 challenger have been evident since the opening rounds of the Formula 1 season. The Scuderia's performance in pre-season testing had many predicting they would dominate, but that has not transpired at all.

Ferrari are firmly on the back foot after Mercedes have won the opening five races of 2019, with one-two finishes each time further underlining the Silver Arrows' strength.

Although Ferrari threw away potential big results in Bahrain and Azerbaijan, they have been distinctly off Mercedes pace in Australia, China and Spain.

Binotto remains positive, however, and has backed Ferrari to fix the SF90's drawbacks, which he says are not a mystery to the technical team.

"I don't think it is a disaster by the time that you are improving as a team and, as I often say, we are quite a young team in the learning phase and I think in terms of processes and methodologies there is still much to learn," Binotto said.

"I am pretty happy that the team is improving. If it is a concept design problem then it depends what it is and then we can address it within the season. "The limitation we got was present already in the first races of the season. They were there all weekend from Friday and they were straightforward and obvious.

"How long it will take is difficult to answer. I think what is more important is to know how to address them and then I'm sure we can do it quickly.

"We will never give up and I think our ultimate objective is to do better than Barcelona. Each circuit is different and in Monaco it is a different circuit. Our car has some strengths and certainly some weaknesses."

Related

Latest F1 News

Powerful Hamilton statement issued as shock plans announced

• Yesterday 18:57

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Perez gets NEW role as Mercedes announce SHOCK driver signing

• Yesterday 16:01