Formula 1 chief Ross Brawn believes Ferrari can still overhaul Mercedes in this year’s title battle, but says the marque’s “spell has been broken”.
Sebastian Vettel closed on Lewis Hamilton in the standings with a commanding victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, and Ferrari went on to lockout the front row of the grid in Italy.
But Hamilton overhauled both Ferrari drivers at Monza to triumph before converting pole position into victory in Singapore, as Vettel placed only third.
It means Vettel trails Hamilton by 40 points in the Drivers’ standings while Ferrari faces a 37-point deficit to Mercedes in the Constructors’ battle.
“Mercedes leave Singapore in high spirits, Ferrari must be somewhat concerned by their form at Marina Bay, and in recent weeks,” said Brawn in his post-race debrief.
“After the summer break, the Italian team was dominant, winning in Spa and getting both cars on the front row in Monza. However, since then, the spell has been broken
“At its home race, the defeat could be put down to various incidents, but in Singapore, both Mercedes and Red Bull were better.
“Not by much, as on the streets of Marina Bay the gaps separating the top three were hardly a chasm, but by enough, as third in qualifying and in the race for Vettel seemed about the right result.
“The men in red admitted they made the most of what was available to them and they need to work out why as soon as possible.
“The gap in both championships is not yet insurmountable, but it is significant, especially against a strong rival in the habit of winning
“Ferrari can count on a car that has always been competitive and on drivers who know how to fight for a title, but now they need to turn things around, starting in Sochi.”
Brawn, who has worked for both Ferrari and Mercedes during his career, went on to praise Hamilton’s efforts at Marina Bay.
“An incredible Q3 lap resulted in a pole position that was to prove crucial, when he dominated the race from start to finish,” said Brawn.
“The result and the gaps at the front don’t really tell the story of just how untouchable Lewis was and he produced a masterclass in extracting the most out the package at his disposal, pushing when he had to and managing the tyres where possible
“The win is an important step, if not yet the decisive one, in his duel with Sebastian.
“It’s also proof that Mercedes, the dominant force of this hybrid era, is still working to improve in areas where it has maybe lost some ground in recent times.”
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