Mattia Binotto has called for "focus" at Ferrari and a "race-by-race" approach as they bid to claw back lost ground to Red Bull. Charles Leclerc led the early stages of Sunday's French Grand Prix but crashed out of the race on Lap 18 of 53, effectively handing victory to Max Verstappen. Verstappen assumed a 63-point lead in the Drivers' Championship as a result, while Ferrari have fallen 82 points behind Red Bull in the Constructors' battle. It also means Mercedes – fresh from their double podium – are now closer to Ferrari in the standings than the Scuderia are to Red Bull.
Binotto dreams of winning every remaining race
Put to him that neither Leclerc nor Ferrari can afford any more issues in their quest to beat Verstappen and Red Bull to title glory, Binotto explained how his team will fight back. "No, we cannot, [just] as they cannot afford mistakes – I think that's the risk for everyone," Binotto told Sky Sports F1 , after Carlos Sainz salvaged fifth for the team by fighting back from an engine penalty. "[We will take it] step-by-step, race-by-race and stay focused. We will try to challenge them, try to win all the races from now to the end, which is the only thing we can do. "Then let's see what will happen [at the end of the season]."
Attention turns to the Hungarian GP weekend
F1 moves on to Hungary this weekend for the final race before the sport's now traditional summer break. Asked for his pre-event expectations, and how the Ferrari/Red Bull fight might play out there, Binotto said: "I think as usual it will be very tight. "I think the car is behaving well, it has done well in hot and cold conditions. We will go there with maximum downforce, which is different to what we had here. "Red Bull as well will need to put some more downforce on the car, so I'm not expecting such an advantage on the speed. "We know that Hungary again is difficult for tyres overheating, it's difficult for the front tyres, for the traction. It's a very similar challenge to [the French GP] and I think that we were doing a pretty good job."
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