Ferrari focus on soft tyre exploitation to top Mercedes

Ferrari thinks making the most of Pirelli’s softest compounds on long runs will boost its chances to reel in Mercedes at this weekends’ Austrian Grand Prix.

Formula One's official tyre supplier will bring the same compounds available in Monaco and Canada.

With Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen yet to start from pole this year, the Maranello-based outfit also pinpoints qualifying as paramount to beat the championship leaders at the Red Bull Ring.

“Strategy is very important to put pressure on Mercedes,” said Vettel's race engineer Riccardo Adami.

“So we try to have a very good reading of the tyres on Friday and prepare a good strategy for Sunday.

“Having said that, we need to focus on qualifying more than the race, to start at the front and then move with the supersoft from there.”

“The Austrian track is very short and it's difficult to overtake here, therefore we will be aiming for maximum performance [on Saturday].”

In its pursuit of Mercedes, Ferrari has left no stone unturned. The Scuderia introduced a new aero package during last month’s Spanish Grand Prix before spending its first three engine development tokens ahead of the Montreal race two weeks ago.

And Adami explains that no efforts are being spared at Maranello to help Vettel and Raikkonen return to winning ways.

“Development is going on at all the races. We bring new parts to the track at every race.

“We are trying to address the main weaknesses of the car according to the drivers, and to address it with aero development and chassis development.

“So we are looking forward to see in the next few races to see if this development will pay off.”