Ferrari made “giant strides” in the 2017 Formula 1 campaign, compared to its previous form, according to Chairman Sergio Marchionne.
Ferrari endured a win-less 2016 season as it finished third in the standings but capitalised on revised regulations to emerge as a title contender this year.
Sebastian Vettel claimed three victories from the opening six Grands Prix and led the standings for much of the season, before ultimately being overhauled by Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton.
Marchionne, though, expressed optimism over Ferrari’s year-on-year form, and says the squad is now stronger for tweaks made in response to 2017 setbacks.
“Given where we started from last year, this season we have taken giant strides forward,” said Marchionne.
“Having said that, the second half of 2017 was…character building.
“We learned a lot over the past six months, trying to move forward and that’s the most important thing.
“From back in August of last year, when we overhauled the organisation, I totally believed that these guys, with Maurizio Arrivabene as team principal and Mattia Binotto heading up the technical side, would be capable of doing something amazing.
“We really believed we could do much more: but in 2017, we were unable to reach our objectives.
“That has also resulted in some changes to the organisation of the Gestione Sportiva. We can already see significant signs of change when it comes to the team’s production capacity.
“The important thing is to start 2018 with all this expertise and experience and to manage this organisation. I have no doubt that we will be competitive.”
Ferrari wound up second to Mercedes in the Constructors’ championship, with Vettel’s five wins its highest victory tally since 2010.
