Wolff blames Ferrari woes on decisions by "certain members"

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Toto Wolff says Ferrari's current struggles are not good for Formula 1, but the Mercedes boss also questions the decisions made by "certain members" of the Scuderia.

From its position among the sport's top-three best front-running team along with Mercedes and Red Bull, Ferrari has slumped down the order this season, weighed down by the mediocre engine/chassis package of its 2020 car.

One year on from Charles Leclerc's dominant win at Spa - and several FIA engine-related technical directives later - Ferrari is but a shadow of itself this weekend in Belgium, with the Monegasque and teammate Sebastian Vettel painfully languishing in the second half of the midfield.

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Wolff lamented the Scuderia's depressed state, insisting the Italian outfit "should be racing at the very front".

"It’s not good for Formula 1," Wolff said. "It’s not good for the competition at the front. I very much feel with all the Tifosi and employees of Ferrari for this lack of performance.

"Nobody, from the fans and the Ferrari people, deserves such a result."

The Austrian alluded to "the priorities that have been set in recent times, and where the lack of performance comes from."

"Actually, it’s wrong to say Ferrari’s priorities, because that drags Ferrari and everybody at Ferrari into this," Wolff added.

"It’s maybe the decisions that have been made within the team, from certain members of the team."

Last month, following the Scuderia's down beat start to its 2020 campaign and the obvious under-performance of its SF1000, Ferrari president John Elkann reiterated his "total trust" in team boss Mattia Binotto's ability to lead a resurgence.

"Because Mattia Binotto, who has been at the helm of the Scuderia for a year, has all the skills and characteristics to start a new winning cycle," said Elkann who has practically written off the 2020 and 2021 seasons and set Ferrari's sights on 2022, when F1 will usher in a new regulation.

"The reality is that our car is not competitive," Elkann admitted. "You saw it on the track and you will see it again.

"Today we are laying the foundations for being competitive and returning to winning when the rules change in 2022. I am convinced of it."

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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.