Brundle offers blunt assessment of key Ferrari error

Martin Brundle has delivered a forthright appraisal of the now-discarded upgrade package Ferrari introduced earlier in the season.

The 65-year-old said the Italian team had "clearly" got its development path wrong with its summer updates.

Ultimately, the Scuderia had to unwind the package it brought to the Spanish Grand Prix over the subsequent rounds and re-build in a new direction, which is has since done.

Ferrari has brought extensive updates to Monza in the hope of re-closing the gap to McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes ahead.

Having started the season behind the reigning constructors' champions with the second quickest car, the Maranello-based team has had the fourth-fastest package of late.

With the Italian Grand Prix being the storied marque's home race, the weight of expectation is greater on the team to deliver and re-insert itself back in the fight for victories.

When asked if he believed Ferrari had purposely decided to introduce the latest improvements at Monza, Brundle disagreed.

"No, I think it's more a question of the races that are coming up," he said on Sky Sports F1, before turning his attention to the failed package from earlier in the year.

"And also, clearly they [Ferrari] went wrong, didn't they, back in Barcelona, Imola time and put an upgrade on they had to backtrack on.

"Yes, of course they want to try and win the Italian Grand Prix in a Ferrari. No surprises there, but I suspect it's: 'Let's sort this out. Get it back on the car, working, ASAP.' And here we are."

Despite being unable to produce the desired outcome with the early summer upgrades, Brundle believes Ferrari will be in the hunt at Monza.

Given the previous incorrect course, and the sheer number of updates ported onto the SF-24 in Italy, the former F1 driver would be surprised if it did not deliver - particularly given the track-specific tilt of some of the aerodynamic changes.

"I'd be surprised if Ferrari brought nine upgrades, one track-specific and eight performance-specific, and weren't in it and hadn't improved," he explained.

"Especially as they've gone for a proper Monza aero package here."