Binotto says Ferrari "do not understand" loss of pace after pre-season testing!

Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto says that he does not understand what happened to his team's pace between pre-season testing and the first race in Melbourne in 2019. The Italian giants left Barcelona after the eight days of testing in a positive mood, having looked the quickest of everyone.

However, when they arrived in Melbourne for the season opener at Albert Park, it was not what they expected.

Mercedes were streets ahead of the rest of the field, taking a 1-2, and Ferrari were even beaten to the podium by Aston Martin Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen.

Binotto told Auto Motor und Sport that even they were confused as to what went wrong. 

The Ferrari boss said: "After the winter testing, we had promised more, but the car was just not fast enough.

"We still do not understand what happened between winter testing and Melbourne. Apparently, we have taken a step back, and the others have improved. We then found more downforce step by step."

Ferrari went on to win three races after the summer break, but overall it was an underwhelming season for the F1 giants.