Ferrari need to 'focus on the real enemy', says Brundle

Former F1 driver and pundit Martin Brundle has called on Ferrari to 'focus on the real enemy' next season and come together to give Mercedes a geniune challenge, following Lewis Hamilton's fifth world championship victory at the Mexico Grand Prix.

Ferrari started the 2018 season strongly but faded in the second half as Mercedes grew stronger and in the end, Hamilton's victory was inevitable from a few races before the championship reached Mexico.

With Charles Leclerc replacing Kimi Raikkonen next season, changes are afoot at the Prancing Horse, and Brundle, speaking on Sky Sports F1, feels that the Italian giants should be looking to close ranks in the off season and focus on defeating their arch rival.

He said: "Leclerc will energise the team and energise Vettel. They need to use that as a positive force, and they have really got to stick together, Ferrari, over the winter and next year.

"They have to make Vettel feel comfortable and that he's not under pressure. There's been a bit of politics since [Sergio] Marchionne died and they've got to calm that down and focus on the real enemy, which is Mercedes Benz, and not each other."

Brundle also took time to recognise Hamilton's achievement and is holding out hope that, next year, the rest of the chasing pack can make up the ground and give the Brit a stern challenge.

He added: "Stunning, he [Lewis] deserved it. I think he's driving at his best, he's still improving, you can't argue against that.

"He's beaten his team-mate [Bottas] fair and square, he's beaten Vettel who had a very fast car at some points this year, fair and square.

"I just hope Ferrari, Red Bull Honda, others, maybe Renault, can come back at Mercedes next year."