Only a matter of time before Ferrari "strike back" - Seidl

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl has warned "it is only a question of time" before Ferrari "strike back".

McLaren competed the Belgian Grand Prix with only one car after a power unit problem caused an exhaust failure on the car of Carlos Sainz during his installation laps on Sunday, but Lando Norris was able to score six points for finishing seventh, a total that moved McLaren back to third in the constructors' standings.

With Ferrari struggling to 13th and 14th, Seidl said it "hurt" that his team was unable to collect more points to further extend the gap on their Italian rivals.

He said: “It is important, and it is something that we never do, and that is to underestimate the ability of Ferrari to strike back during the course of the season.

“With all of the experience they have, with all of the man power they have, the infrastructure, I’m sure it is only a question of time when they will strike back again.

“That is why it hurts even more that we didn’t collect more points.”

Looking ahead to the Italian Grand Prix, Seidl is hopeful McLaren can take the fight to Renault, the French team recording a season best result of fourth and fifth with future McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon.

“I would say, from what we know from last year plus what we have seen this weekend here [in Belgium], I think we are in a good position again to fight for Q3 which then is always a good position to be in for Sunday afternoon to fight for good points.

“I expect to be close again to the Racing Points and to the Renaults.

"Also reading the comments from Ferrari, I think they will struggle as well, so hopefully Monza gives us another opportunity to score more points than we did here and gives us another opportunity to make so good points compared to some of the competitors who will be strong again at other tracks."

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