Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has blamed back-markers for the team's failure to win the Monaco Grand Prix. Despite locking out the front row of the grid, the rain-affected race went the way of Red Bull after the Scuderia lost the lead in the pit-stops. Carlos Sainz took second place, having earlier looked the favourite for victory after his decision not to pit for Intermediates, whilst pole-sitter Charles Leclerc finished in fourth, having been undercut by both Red Bull drivers. Speaking after the race, Binotto accepted that the team could have performed better, but added that back-markers were the main reason for defeat in Monaco. "I think it has been down to a few mistakes that we need to analyse," Binotto told Sky Sports F1 . "The circumstances were not easy because when the drivers pitted, the drivers found heavy traffic, I think it was [Alex] Albon and [Nicholas] Latifi, which cost them positions."
Binotto takes blame for Monaco defeat
Following their Monaco Grand Prix result, Ferrari have lost ground to Red Bull in both championships. With Red Bull's Max Verstappen finishing just ahead of Leclerc in third, the Dutchman extends his lead at the top of the Drivers' Championship to nine points. In the Constructors' Championship, Ferrari now trail Red Bull by 36 points. Binotto acknowledged the increasing gaps in the championships, and was willing to shoulder responsibility for Ferrari's deficit to Red Bull. "For Charles, it could have been a win today. And Charles has lost some ground on Max [in the Drivers' Championship], which is important," added Binotto. "So there were a lot of situations that have not been in our favour. We've made the mistakes, I will take the blame and responsibility for that and we will improve. Overall, it has been a difficult race."
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