After a dismal 2020, Ferrari's fortunes are looking up this year, but former Renault F1 team boss Flavio Briatore says a Scuderia fighting for third or fourth in the pecking order just isn't good enough.
Ferrari enjoyed a double top-ten finish in Bahrain and at Imola thanks to Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, and the team's performance relative to its midfield rivals has indisputably improved since last season.
However, team boss Mattia Binotto has already warned that 2021 will be a transition year for the Italian outfit as it sets its sights on next year when F1 introduces its new regulations.
But Briatore argues that Ferrari should be gunning for wins here and now.
"Ferrari's goal is next year," Briatore told Radio Rai. "We are always talking about next year, we start the season and we are talking about next year.
"This is part of Ferrari's problem, because Ferrari should be up there. Instead, they are fighting for third place and they are struggling to get that with two drivers that are good in Leclerc and Sainz.
"They have improved compared to last season and let's hope that they are even better next season with the new rules. I don't think that seeing Ferrari fight for third or fourth place is good for their brand or history."
Briatore offered his outlook on the current campaign which he sees as unfolding as a proper showdown between Mercedes and challenger Red Bull.
"This year there will be competition, because the last few years the fight was between Hamilton and Bottas and there isn't really a competition between them," the Italian said.
"I think Red Bull are performing well, they may even be ahead of Mercedes aerodynamically.
"Max Verstappen is a spectacular driver, a top driver so we can expect a great season. Red Bull can contend for the title, but for us fans that love F1 we can finally see a battle between different teams."
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