Ferrari F1 boss hits back at criticism of team for 2018 errors
Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene has hit back at suggestions his team is in disarray after a run of errors that have hurt its Formula 1 world championship assault

The Italian outfit needs a run of good fortune if it is to stop Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton marching to another title this year.
But although Ferrari's campaign has been hit by self-inflicted errors - including mistakes from Vettel and strategy blunders in races and qualifying - Arrivabene insists that there is no crisis at his team.
And he says criticisms he aimed at his staff after the tyre blunder in Japanese GP qualifying, and a call for discussions about what had gone wrong, were nothing out of the ordinary.
"I had the impression that some people were waiting for this situation to criticise us," he told Autosport in response to the fallout from his Japanese remarks.
"Since I've been at Ferrari, in the role of team principal, I always put my face first, and I will continue to do so.
"After three and a half years it was always going to happen one day that the horse would bolt from the barn - as probably happened at Suzuka.
"This gave rise to those who had been waiting to create controversy from nothing."

Although Arrivabene said in Japan that the team needed to reflect on its errors, he is clear that such discussions are normal for a team that is hoping to improve.
"I do not mind discussions - it is the silences that bother me," Arrivabene added.
"That said, it is clear that there is interest from some people to create confusion and a casino within our team.
"When you are leading the world championship, just half a smile can convey the feeling of a team with great harmony.
"But if you slip into second place, it is normal to smile less. Maybe we should learn to smile more - if this helps to stop unfounded rumours.
"We are a team that is battling against a great rival like Mercedes - and it is not something you can do with a team that is in disarray.
"In the last three races, we had a loss of form, we know that, but we have analysed the situation and hope to have solved the problems. We will have the proof here in Austin.
"But we must not forget that Mercedes has also grown [stronger] and the two things together have determined what we have seen in recent races."

Arrivabene also reiterated his faith in Vettel, despite the criticisms the German has faced for the mistakes he has made in races this year.
"I remember the comebacks that Sebastian made in some world championships with Red Bull," he added.
"On two occasions, with six races remaining, he was behind by a lot of points but thanks to his talent and also a very competitive car, he was able to recover and hit the target.
"With the competitiveness that we have seen in recent years, to be able to win a world championship it is indispensable to have an excellent car.
"I recall Ferrari in 2002 and 2004 having a car that allows you to also cover errors that can come from either the driver or the team.

Previous article
Robert Kubica would be 'fantastic' Williams F1 team-mate to George Russell
Next article
More Honda changes to trigger US GP grid penalties for Toro Rosso

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Teams | Ferrari |
Author | Roberto Chinchero |
Ferrari F1 boss hits back at criticism of team for 2018 errors
Trending
Albert Park Circuit Modifications Project
Mercedes-AMG F1 Team: Bahrain GP Race Debrief
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Are we at peak F1 right now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How crucial marginal calls will decide the Red Bull vs Mercedes battle in F1 2021
The longer Red Bull can maintain a performance edge over Mercedes, the better the odds will be in the team’s favour against the defending world champions. But as the Bahrain Grand Prix showed, many more factors will be critical in the outcome of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle
The nightmare timing that now hinders Mercedes
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton took victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite, for a change, not having the quickest car. But any hopes of developing its W12 to surpass Red Bull's RB16B in terms of outright speed could not have come at a worse time.