Ferrari focused on 'not missing' more opportunities to win

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Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto says his team must make the most of any winning opportunities that may come its way during the final stretch of the 2019 season.

The Scuderia and Charles Leclerc enjoyed back-to-back wins at Spa and Monza, venues that catered to the qualities of Ferrari's SF90, which is expected to struggle to uphold its winning form next weekend at Singapore and at several circuits that will follow.

However, Binotto isn't dismissing more wins from the Scuderia in the remaining seven rounds of the F1 world championship.

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"We knew that these ones were tracks where we may have been competitive," said the Swiss engineer.

"It was not a given, but certainly being power sensitive and having long straights it was important for us.

"It’s important for us not to miss any other opportunities as we missed in the first part of the season, and the fact that we capitalised on the strengths of our car in these two races makes us very happy."

Binotto acknowledged that not every venue up ahead will provide Ferrari with that winning opportunity.

"I think it can be as good as the first part of the season," he added.

“There will be races as it has been in Germany, as it has been in Canada, Bahrain, where maybe we can still be competitive, and races where the weaknesses of our car will not give us the possibilities to go for the win. But it’s difficult to guess which one.

"It’s important for us to continue to develop the car, continue to understand it, try to have the best balance, and give our drivers the best opportunities whenever they come.

"There are tracks like the next one [Singapore] where maybe the engine is not so important."

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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.