AUGUST 30, 2016

Good start for Allison's successor Binotto

Following a mid-season slump, things are looking up for Ferrari.

Following a mid-season slump, things are looking up for Ferrari.

That is the view of the patriotic and yet hyper-critical Italian press, agreeing with team boss Maurizio Arrivabene that podium finishes were on the cards at Monza.

"The best Ferrari of the year did not even manage a third place, but only Verstappen can be blamed," declared the La Gazzetta dello Sport daily.

"Ferrari certainly proved in Belgium, under the supervision of the new technical boss Mattia Binotto, a new responsiveness. Something is going on but we will have to wait for Sunday at Monza."

The Corriere dello Sport daily, meanwhile, pointed the finger at Sebastian Vettel.

"The car is showing potential but it is undeniable that Vettel caused the (first corner) collision that destroyed the prospect of a positive result for Ferrari," it said.

Team boss Maurizio Arrivabene, however, did not want to dwell on the incidents, even though he admitted Ferrari had pursued the matters regarding Max Verstappen.

"We called the FIA to ask for an explanation," he said, "but it is not Ferrari's style to shout from the rooftops. So we said what we had to say.

"I do not want to talk about the events that characterised the race," Arrivabene is quoted by Autosprint. "I want to think about our position, how well we did in qualifying and the great possibility we had to have two drivers on the podium.

"Now we have to turn the page and look to our GP at Monza."

(GMM)