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Binotto doesn't have an answer for poor end to 2019 season

Binotto "doesn't have an answer" for poor end to 2019 season

10-12-2019 14:17
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

After finishing the season in a poor vein of form, Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto cannot pin it on a single department or aspect of the SF90, as the Italian argues it was more down to improvement of the team's rivals.

Charles Leclerc's podium in Abu Dhabi was the only podium for the Scuderia in the last three races, with the duo clashing in Brazil and Sebastian Vettel suffering a mechanical DNF in the United States.

After the superb form they were in coming out of the summer break, winning three races on the trot, it was a poor way to end the season. No pole position since Mexico, no win since Singapore.

"We should not forget that Mercedes brought an aero package in Japan," the 50-year-old told Motorsport.com when quizzed about the end to the season.

"Red Bull has improved as well. In Abu Dhabi, our car has never really suited to the circuit or to the track. But certainly in terms of the plan, it seems that we've lost some of our performance in the last races."

Leclerc did get P3 in Abu Dhabi but Ferrari never looked competitive all weekend, chasing Mercedes and Red Bull during both qualifying as well as the race.

"Abu Dhabi is very specific but there is much to learn about why we are not competitive in the last sector, or why maybe on new tyres or at the start of the race we could have followed the others, but when the tyre are more worn it's more difficult for us.

"So I do not have an answer. But I know there is much to analyse and to learn."