Brawn: Ferrari can still challenge Mercedes in championship

Ross Brawn believes that the 2019 Formula 1 championship is by no means over for Ferrari, and reckons that the Scuderia still have what it takes to close the gap to Mercedes as there are so many races left on the calendar.

Mercedes have been close to perfect in the opening five races, having claimed a record-equalling five one-two finishes in a row. They have already opened up a 96-point lead over Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas are looking like the only contenders for the driver’s championship, too.

It is Brawn’s opinion that nothing is close to being over, however, as there is still a long way to go.

“It’s becoming difficult to find adjectives to describe Mercedes’ first quarter of the season,” said the F1 managing director.

'Ferrari will probably finish sixth or seventh in Monaco'Read more

“Five wins, five one-twos – pretty much perfect. Apart from their points tally, what was really impressive was the Silver Arrows’ technical superiority on a track that is widely believed to produce a true picture of the pecking order on the grid due to the characteristics of its layout, and also due to the fact that the circuit is the preferred winter testing ground of Formula 1, when the race eventually comes to Barcelona it highlights the steps in development made by the teams. And it’s in this latter area that Mercedes have really demonstrated their strengths.

“So, is that it then, championship over bar a battle between the two team-mates at the Anglo-German team? I don’t think so as there are still a lot of races to come, but it’s true to say that Mercedes have laid down a strong early marker on both championships.”

Ferrari will be looking to get back on track in the next Grand Prix in Monaco, where they are the second-most successful team in history after McLaren.

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