Ferrari: Mercedes not much slower on straights
Ferrari: Mercedes not much slower on straights
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has played down a supposed straight-line advantage his team hold over their rivals on the grid. Estimates have put the SF90 at least four tenths of a second quicker per lap on the straights than the likes of Mercedes and Red Bull.
Ferrari came away from pre-season testing expecting to head the field after displaying mighty pace around the Circuit de Catalunya.
However, that failed to materialise in Australia, before an engine issue for Charles Leclerc, and Sebastian Vettel's spin, denied them in Bahrain.
At the Chinese GP, Ferrari were again expected to impress, given the Shanghai circuit features F1's second longest straight, but Mercedes took a third one-two of the year as Ferrari struggled through the corners.
"If you look at the speed of Mercedes I think they were very strong as well," Binotto said.
"So maybe you should ask them how they are so good. I don't think there is much on the straights [between] us and the others."
Next on the calendar is the longest straight of the year in Azerbaijan, but Binotto is unsure if it will play into their hands.
"Baku is a circuit where you've got a different aero configuration certainly so I think it's not only power units [that make the difference]," he said.
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
- 40 minutes ago
Sainz manager speaks out on 'game playing' over contract
- 1 hour ago
EXCLUSIVE: World champion reveals 'logical' winning F1 Hamilton combination
- 2 hours ago
Why F1's RADICAL proposed points change is a positive step
- Today 15:57
Former F1 chief hits out at Hamilton 'EXCUSES'
- Today 13:57
Red Bull already sending parts to F1 race MONTHS away
- Today 12:57
Related news
When can Lewis Hamilton win the F1 world title?
Schumacher says F1 title race is over despite Verstappen form
Red Bull need Mercedes 'f**k up' for title chance
Toto Wolff backing Ferrari for success in Belgium
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860