2
Sebastian Vettel is still in the hunt, but Ferrari's realistic hopes are now firmly set on a proper title challenge for 2016.
Indeed, while Vettel actually overtook Nico Rosberg on Sunday to now be Lewis Hamilton's main challenger for the title with four races to go, boss Maurizio Arrivabene acknowledges that Ferrari's real sights are further up the road.
"I am grateful for this question," he said after the Russian grand prix, "because internally I am always now saying 'We do not have a Scuderia working for 2015, we have a 'Squadretta'.
"Most of the team is working on the 2016 car," Arrivabene admitted, "and yet another group on the one for 2017. So we are well positioned for the future."
Indeed, Mercedes already has the constructors' crown wrapped up, and Hamilton has a firm hand on the drivers' title -- and could even finish the job as soon as Austin.
"The maths says Vettel can still do it, but our humility says no," said Arrivabene.
So it is rumoured that Ferrari's focus is now so firmly on 2016 that, in Austin, the marque could voluntarily take grid penalties for installing fifth engines so that it can introduce a developmental 'power unit' for next year.
"I will tell you in Austin," Arrivabene smiled when asked about it.
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
443,099 comments on Mercedes
64 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Lewis Hamilton
467,386 comments on Ferrari 271 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Ferrari
G. Zhou
Replies (2)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
What is the difference between a Scuderia and a Squadretta, lol? I like that they think so long forward. I really think Vettel, Matiacci (I think his name is?) and Arrivabene has been good for Ferrari. A proper pity this year's constructor's is already decided.
khasmir
Posts: 893
I think you mean Marchionne, Matiacci was Arrivabene his predecessor ;)