After Ferrari's comfortable win at Spa, Scuderia boss Maurizio Arrivabene is feeling the pressure to deliver what the whole of Italy is expecting at Monza: a red triumph!
In terms of sheer performance, the Italian outfit now has the upper hand over its Mercedes rival, as Sebastian Vettel clearly demonstrated in last Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.
A recent engine upgrade coupled with an apparent engineering advantage enjoyed by Ferrari in the battery and energy management department has enabled the House of Maranello to sustain its momentum against the silver Arrows.
However, Arrivabene still considers that Ferrari is in a hot pursuit given Mercedes' 15-point advantage in the Constructors' standings.
"I read many articles that talk about our guys who work so well on the car," Arrivabene told the media in Milan on Wednesday.
"But then in the team I had to remind everyone that we are not ahead, we are chasing, so we keep our heads down."
The Italian nevertheless acknowledged the squad's good performance in Spa where he was more than happy to see his troops ruffle its rival's feathers, something unusual for Mercedes.
"They are not used to it," said Arrivabene. "We were silent, we took punches left and right and we got up. We are used to it, they are not."
However, a stung and wound-up Mercedes team, determined to fight back, will be formidable force to be reckoned with at the Temple of Speed.
The fireworks will be massive between to two outfits, but the pressure to win will be on the Scuderia, with stakes running high.
"For us it would be a dream and a gift to give all of Italy, but the responsibility has always been there," added Arrivabene.
"This year there is more pressure because we won the previous race, but this is racing and we are used to it.
"We are still a young team and I do not guarantee anything for the end of the season, but everyone wants it -- and you know what I mean."
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