Ferrari should be proud of F1 rivals' rules clarifications - Vettel
Sebastian Vettel says Ferrari should be "proud" that its Formula 1 rivals have resorted to seeking technical clarifications in a bid to slow the team down
Ferrari's recent struggles relative Mercedes have coincided with recent clarifications from the FIA relating to oil burn rules before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and a stiffening of the SF70H's floor from the Austrian Grand Prix.
The impact of those clarifications on Ferrari's form in unclear, but Vettel said attempts to close down any loopholes Ferrari had found were a compliment to the team's 2017 car.
When asked in Hungary whether he felt rulings on oil burn and the floor had held Ferrari back, Vettel said: "We're still there.
"It's testimony to the great work that has been going on over the winter that people start to look at your car from a different angle, and try to ban your car rather than ignore your car.
"That's good news for us, and something we can be proud of. We shouldn't get distracted by it.
"It's normal when you're at the front, people don't like it and want to change that. It's the same when it's the other way round."
Ferrari technical director Mattia Binotto played down talk of the clarifications affecting the outfit's form, and said he did not believe momentum had swung towards Mercedes in the title race.
"Each race is different to the others and there have been races at the start of the season where we have been competitive and others where Mercedes has been competitive," he said.
"I don't think that there is a clear tendency or a trend in the competitiveness of the two teams.
"Certainly the development is very important and that has to be done race by race. There are still many races to go.
"We are just halfway through the season. I don't think that there are any reasons why there should be a trend.
"I think that oil burn is something that is not directly related to Ferrari.
"And the floor, honestly I don't think there is any impact on our performance."
Vettel ended second practice in Hungary second fastest behind Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.
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