Ferrari: Mercedes not used to this much pressure in F1 title fight
Ferrari needs to take advantage of its Formula 1 rival Mercedes not being used to this much pressure in the title fight, according to the Scuderia's team boss Maurizio Arrivabene
Sebastian Vettel's victory in last weekend's Belgian Grand Prix cut Lewis Hamilton's lead to 17 points after he was thwarted in the previous two races despite Ferrari appearing to have a faster car.
Speaking at the Milan F1 Live demonstration in the build-up to this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Arrivabene said Ferrari must throw the sort of punches it has taken time after time from Mercedes since the V6 turbo-hybrid era began in 2014.
"They are not used to it," said Arrivabene. "In the last few years we were with our heads held low, we took punches right and left, but we always got up.
"We're used to it. They are not, so the speech made to the boys is simple: let's keep them under pressure.
"Sooner or later, when we reach them [Mercedes], we are the aggressive ones who have taken them [the punches] and we know how bad it is.
"Now it's time to give them."
Mercedes currently enjoys a 15-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors' championship to go with Hamilton's advantage in the drivers' contest.
However, Ferrari arrives at Monza as the pre-race favourite after Vettel's Spa win, with its engine upgrade appearing to trump Mercedes' as both manufacturers introduced new specs last weekend.
But Arrivabene cautioned that his team cannot get carried away just because of one victory.
"It's a recovery but we're still behind," he said.
"We have to put this in our heads that if you win a race, you have not won the championship, and that is our goal.
"We must put pressure on Mercedes, who are not accustomed to it."
Previous article
Renault feared more Red Bull critcism ahead of introducing F1 upgrade
Next article
Petronas seeks university help in Formula 1 fuel fight
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Teams | Ferrari , Mercedes |
| Author | Scott Mitchell |
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
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…
