Ferrari backed to survive Mercedes threat

Former F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi is confident Ferrari will fend off the advances of Mercedes in this year's constructors' championship scrap.

Ferrari has dropped 139 points behind Red Bull in the title battle and into the clutches of Mercedes who are just 35 adrift of the Scuderia.

Mercedes' recent improvements have allowed the eight-time consecutive champions to feature regularly on the podium of late as either Lewis Hamilton or George Russell - or both - have featured in the top three in eight of the last nine races.

Despite the resurgence, Fittipaldi feels Ferrari has what it takes to secure its position as championship runners-up.

"Mercedes has shown a lot of improvement," Fittipaldi told VegasInsider. "But the Ferraris are still extremely fast and extremely competitive.

"They have two great drivers in Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. It could be very difficult.

"Mathematically, they have a chance but I think it will be very hard for Mercedes to finish ahead of Ferrari in the championship. I think Ferrari is going to finish ahead."

Although backing Ferrari to better Mercedes across the season, Fittipaldi was more hopeful of the Silver Arrows' chances in Singapore.

"Mercedes were so behind Ferrari at the beginning of the year," he added.

"They had a lot of difficulties in adjusting to the rules for the new car. Remember the car was porpoising a lot. It was difficult to drive. It didn't have enough grip, enough power.

"They have worked very hard and now they can run very strong in Singapore."

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