Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene was pleased with the performance of his driver’s during the Japanese Grand Prix, especially considering their starting positions.
Both Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen received grid place penalties for a collision and a change of gearbox respectively, starting sixth and eighth respectively, but they climbed to fourth and fifth in the race.
“Considering our starting position, being pushed back by a double penalty, we did the best we could today,”
said Arrivabene.
Ferrari had strong race pace but back markers and the lack of blue flags held both drivers up preventing them from exploiting their full potential.
Vettel and Raikkonen finished fourth and fifth respectively, but if the penalties had not compromised the team a podium finish could have been on the cards. Blue flags were also a constant source of problems for Vettel, as cars were reluctant to move out the way of both drivers when being lapped.
“It’s just a shame that the traffic from backmarkers did not allow Seb to take the best out of our strategy.”
The under pressure Ferrari boss was pleased with their performance in Japan but with Red Bull securing a podium, Arrivabene will need a strong end of the season to catch Red Bull in the Constructors. The Scuderia team currently sit fifty points behind Red Bull in the Championship, but with four races remaining anything can happen in the Championship race.
Ferrari’s race pace was extremely positive with Raikkonen setting numerous fastest laps, this will be a big disappointment that they could not capitalise on their pace to score a podium.
