Ferrari boosted by recent Red Bull battles

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto insists that his team have been given a “boost” to try and improve over recent weeks after their entertaining battles with Red Bull in Austria and Britain.

After the snoozefest which was the French Grand Prix, Formula 1 returned to form in the next race as the Austrian GP proved to be the race of the season so far, largely due to the duel between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc which saw the former overtake on the last lap to win.

The feud continued into the British GP, as both racers fought hard for position, regularly exchanging places. Leclerc finished third, while Verstappen dropped to fifth after being rear-ended by Sebastian Vettel.

Ferrari, who are yet to win a race this season, believe these exchanges with Red Bull prove how close the teams are, which has motivated them to do better.

“They certainly improved, and if I look at the last two races as a matter of fact they won in Austria and they have been very competitive (at Silverstone),” Binotto told Racer.com.

“I think our package and their package are very close and I think that the last two races have shown it.

“Are they the second, are we the second?

“I think we are pretty close – I think it’s giving us even more boost as we need to further improve, we need to be capable of fighting for the first position at every single race whatever the circuit.

“It has not been the case (in the British Grand Prix) and no doubt in that respect it’s disappointing.

“I think there is a lot to improve.”

After the opening 10 races of the 2019 season, the Scuderia are second in the constructors’ championship, a huge 164 points adrift of leaders, Mercedes.

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