Sebastian Vettel says Ferrari has to accept it was “not quick enough” and also had a “poor weekend” in terms of reliability after the conclusion of an underwhelming Spanish Grand Prix for the team.
Vettel entered the weekend having taken three straight pole positions but qualified behind Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
Vettel picked off Bottas for second at the start but ran a two-stop strategy amid concern over tyre wear and dropped to fourth, behind the one-stopping Mercedes pair and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Vettel was also the sole Ferrari driver to reach the chequered flag after team-mate Kimi Raikkonen lost power and eventually retired.
“One, we were not quick enough,” accepted Vettel, who now trails Hamilton by 17 points in the standings.
“If we’re not able to see that, we’re more than blind, because we didn’t have the pace in the first stint.
“Second, I think we struggled a bit over the course of the weekend with the tyres. They changed but they changed for everyone. Our ambition needs to be that we’re better off rather than worse off. That’s the second thing we need to focus on.
“Third, I think it was a poor weekend in terms of reliability.
“Kimi had an issue with the engine [in practice], had to change the engine and obviously retired in
“Overall, there are three things we must be able to see. If we don’t see those there are no excuses.
“I’ve said many times this team is strong and we have a lot of potential, but we also need to make sure we address the problems that we have and work together in the same direction.
“The season so far has been positive for us. [Sunday] was not a good day but it’s important to understand why.
“You look back and you understand what is missing in the preparation to the race, or this race, or the next races.”
Vettel says that Ferrari must not look for excuses over its result and instead focus on identifying the reasons behind its lack of performance.
“I think the last couple of races we were a bit closer in terms of pace, we had a car fighting for the win, having winning pace,” he said.
“We didn’t have winning pace [in Spain], that’s why we didn’t win. There are a couple of things, as I said.
“Short term, we all had our updates for this race, maybe the others have brought more than us.
“On top of that, we had different tyres, which maybe suited others more than us. But what does it help? Why find excuses? Bottom line is we’re not quick enough to win. That’s what we have to address.
“Not ‘did we have a disadvantage here, was that the case, was this the case, did the Safety Car help or not?’
“In the end we weren’t quick enough and our tyres didn’t last as long as others. Otherwise I stay out, stay in front of Valtteri and finish second. It wasn’t an option and we finished fourth.”
Ferrari, having entered the race four points clear of Mercedes in the Constructors' Championship, now trails its opponent by 27 points.