Ferrari president: Mercedes are more fortunate

Ferrari president John Elkann says Mercedes' stunning, record-breaking start to the 2019 Formula 1 season has had as much to do with good luck as it has the Silver Arrows' performance. Mercedes have recorded one-two finishes at the first four races of 2019, setting a new F1 record.

Having equalled the record of 1992's Williams in China, the Silver Arrows now stand alone with the best start to a world championship season.

Ferrari had been expected to be the team to beat after an impressive pre-season, but the Silver Arrows have resumed familiar residence at the top of the championship standings.

Having largely dominated in Australia and China, Lewis Hamilton's Bahrain win carried an element of fortune as Charles Leclerc suffered engine failure from the lead, while Leclerc's crash in qualifying in Azerbaijan this weekend opened the door for the Silver Arrows, with the Monegasque having set the pace previously.

Ferrari's tactics have left plenty to be desired, although Elkann is confident that all is not lost.

"Mercedes is stronger and more fortunate, but we did the fastest lap today," Elkann is widely quoted by Italian media after the Baku race, which saw Leclerc snatch the bonus point.

"The spirit that is in Ferrari is very good, there is a great desire to win and the championship is still very long."

Barcelona looms next on the calendar, scene of Ferrari's testing excellence, but also Hamilton victories in each of the last two years.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 insider claims plan to take cars electric aged badly but says there is a fix

• Yesterday 22:30

F1 star reveals new business venture and you guessed, it's in Monaco

• Yesterday 21:45

Lewis Hamilton's eighth F1 title is ON as 'major' Ferrari upgrades revealed

• Yesterday 20:57

Aston Martin insider says Fernando Alonso is not leaving: 'He will stay with us'

• Yesterday 19:45

Red Bull sealed Max Verstappen's F1 future and it only took them 20 minutes

• Yesterday 18:45

'It will happen' - Aston Martin star convinced seismic change is coming to F1

• Yesterday 17:30