Scuderia Ferrari’s front row lock-out at Suzuka appeared to set the Italian team up for certain victory but, once more, the team and drivers got in their own way and it was Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas who put the victory cherry on top of the Silver Arrows’ championship cake.
Formula 1’s next destination could have the Ferraris in a class of one however, with its engine grunt a step above that of the two Mercs and the Honda power units in the Red Bulls. So, as it looks to bounce back from a nightmare weekend, will the Prancing Horse be having a Mexican fiesta?
Ferrari should have dominated the last two races but Mercedes capitalised on a series of errors to claim a record-equalling sixth-straight constructors’ championship.
All that’s left for Scuderia Ferrari this season is to look for more consolation wins. Sebastian Vettel said the team could be the benchmark this year in Mexico as the SF90’s performance gains since Singapore have left their rivals at a loss.
“Over the past couple of years, we have been on an upward trend in Mexico, although Red Bull has been the team to beat. But I think the gaps between us are getting smaller, so let’s see how we get on this year,” he said.
Five pole positions in a row underline the performance step-up the Scuderia has made, and team principal Mattia Binotto is adamant that it will put the errors and ill fortune aside in this weekend.
“After two races in which we could have done better, we arrive in Mexico determined to win. We will be aiming for our sixth consecutive pole, before looking to convert that into a victory.”
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