Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc can prove Ferrari's title credentials in Belgium

Ferrari

Vettel and Leclerc can prove Ferrari's title credentials in Belgium

No victories in 2019 so far for them.

Martin Macdonald

Friday 16 August 2019 19:00

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Ross Brawn reckons the summer break has come at a good time for Ferrari as they need to recover to try and claim their first win of the season, which they “badly” need.

The Scuderia have had a torrid time so far in 2019, as they are the only one of the top teams yet to taste victory, with Mercedes winning 10 and Red Bull winning two. Neither of Sebastian Vettel or Charles Leclerc are in the top three in the drivers’ championship, also.

As well as the lack of results, internal politics and team orders have also been prominent, while Vettel has constantly been undermined by the partisan Italian sports press.

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After the Hungarian GP in which Vettel finished third and Leclerc fourth, Brawn things now is a good time for the team to step away from the spotlight.

"The summer break has probably come at just the right time because I’m well aware of how the pressure can build on Ferrari when things aren’t going well,” said the former Scuderia boss.

"It won’t do any harm to take a breather and recharge the batteries. Then, once the racing starts again, the aero requirements of Spa and Monza could put Vettel and Leclerc right in the fight again considering the aero efficiency of their cars.

"Ferrari badly needs a win, not so much for their championship aspirations, but as a morale booster, to prove that it has the potential to be a championship contender, an obligation it has always been under."

The result in Budapest wasn’t necessarily bad for Ferrari, but Brawn thinks the difference in pace between them and Mercedes and Ferrari is concerning.

"It was a difficult weekend for Ferrari, even if Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc finished third and fourth respectively. Finishing more than a minute behind the winner is too big a gap for the team," he explained.

"One knew from the track characteristics that this race would not suit the Ferrari car, but not to the extent we saw, especially in the race.

“The times from the third sector, where you need maximum downforce, speak volumes, as the car was so far off the pace of the Mercedes and Red Bulls."

Ferrari currently trail Mercedes by 150 points in the constructors’ championship.