Ferrari cannot expect the level of competitiveness it enjoyed in Austria to be repeated at each event through the rest of 2019, according to team boss Mattia Binotto.
Charles Leclerc claimed pole position, setting two laps quick enough for top spot in Q3, and led the majority of the race until he was overhauled during the closing stages by Max Verstappen.
Ferrari’s improved performance came off the back of a challenging weekend in France, in which it was comprehensively beaten by Mercedes.
Binotto, though, has warned that there is no guarantee of the SF90’s pace at the Red Bull Ring being replicated at future grands prix.
“I think certainly the track characteristic is the main factor,” said Binotto of Ferrari’s Austria pace.
“As I think we have simply foreseen before, to come to Paul Ricard [we knew] it would be a difficult weekend, we knew coming [to Austria] that we may have a better chance.
“But we are aware as well we are improving our car so I think it’s a combination of two factors.
“After Paul Ricard we said the car has improved compared to Barcelona. [In Austria] we had new upgrades on the car that all went in the right direction, the driver confidence [was higher], there are a few things.
“Will we be able to fight and battle on all the tracks? I don’t think yet. There will be tracks where there are more difficult for us. But again, from now until then, we may bring some more development and I think we can only see race by race.”
Leclerc, whose runner-up spot was the best result of his nascent career, echoed Binotto’s sentiments.
“I still expect Mercedes to be very strong over the next few races,” he said.
“It seems that Red Bull also has a very good package and can keep the tyres and push on them so yes we need to work and I still think we also did a step, also in qualifying.
“I don’t think we are yet at the level of Mercedes but hopefully we are getting close.”
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