Marchionne unimpressed with 'screwed-up' home race

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Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne believes the Scuderia underestimated Monza and is urging the team to investigate why it's deficit to Mercedes was so important.

Sebastian Vettel salvaged a third-place spot on the podium on Sunday but was never in contention for a race win in the Italian Grand Prix.

"I think we just screwed up," Marchionne told German broadcaster RTL.

"The set-up for the car was wrong. I think we underestimated the circuit. I think we screwed up from Belgium, from Spa, into here.

"If I look at the difference between Mercedes and Ferrari, it's embarrassing. But our goal has not changed. What the Tifosi saw today was simply not the real Ferrari.

Wolff puzzled by Ferrari under-performance

"For the first time this season we were below expectations in the race, so obviously we have work to do. But while Monza is Monza, the world championship is still long.

"But the others were almost one second ahead of us, and that's impossible. That is not Ferrari.

"Something has gone wrong. Now, we need to go back to the factory and find out which way the car went sideways. But we will be back in Singapore."

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton achieved F1's first back-to-back win this season and also took the lead in the world championship for the first time this year.

As predicted, Mercedes successfully negotiated the power-hungry venues which are Spa and Monza, but the Silver Arrows outfit could find it difficult to hold its own at Singapore, a track with a configuration which could play into the hands of the Scuderia.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.