Ferrari fire historical F1 warning at Red Bull

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto used a historical F1 phrase as a warning to Red Bull after Max Verstappen retired for the second time in three races this season.

Verstappen's title defence has so far endured a stuttering start with Red Bull only just matching Ferrari's pace and with its cars proving to be worryingly fragile.

Although Verstappen took a stunning win in Saudi Arabia, it is a result sandwiched between two retirements, both of which were at a time when the Dutch driver was running second behind championship leader Charles Leclerc.

With Verstappen already 46 points behind Leclerc in the drivers' standings, a lack of reliability has cost him 36 points.

Asked whether the championship would be decided on reliability this year, Binotto replied: “Reliability is part of the performance," before turning to on old maxim and adding: "I think to finish first, first you need to finish."

Ferrari 'prioritise' reliability

Across the first three races, Red Bull has suffered three retirements overall, with Sergio Perez adding to Verstappen's tally following his last-lap exit in Bahrain.

In comparison, Ferrari has taken the flag five times, with Carlos Sainz blotting his team's copybook with an early DNF in Melbourne, while Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have finished on each occasion to ensure Mercedes also sits ahead of Red Bull.

Repeating his earlier remark, Binotto added: "The reliability is a key element of the performance itself and I think that as a team, we put a priority on it.

“We know it may be that it will happen to ourselves as well, not to finish races, and that is part of the job, of the game, but it is something we are keeping a very high priority on.

“At the end of the championship, will that be a key factor? Certainly, it will be, as the overall performance is a key factor. I think all the elements need to be in place, properly in place, to join the championship.”

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