Charles Leclerc has admitted finishing second place in the constructors' standings is "not good enough" for a team of Ferrari's pedigree.
The Scuderia is F1's most illustrious and storied outfit. It is the hallmark of history and success in the championship, but it has not won a title since clinching the constructors' crown in 2008, 17 years ago.
It is the Italian team's longest period without winning that championship, surpassing the 16-year drought between 1984 and 1999. It has not won a drivers' title since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.
The Prancing Horse rode into the current campaign on a wave of optimism. Having come up just shy of McLaren last year, and with Lewis Hamilton joining the Maranello-based over the winter, expectations were high.
However, things have fallen flat for Ferrari, and the Fred Vasseur-led team has now gone over 12 months without a grand prix victory and is staring down the barrel of a first winless season in this F1 regulations cycle.
McLaren cantered to a second-consecutive constructors' crown, and Ferrari is in a three-way fight to retain its runner-up spot against Mercedes and Red Bull.
Speaking to media, including RacingNews365, ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix, Leclerc conceded it is not a situation befitting a team of its calibre.
"It’s not good enough, no," the eight-time grand prix winner said. "I think when you drive for such a team, the only thing that is good enough is to win.
"But it’s also true to say that we are against a very, very strong competition and also teams that have a lot of history in the sport and that are very special in their own way. So, it’s not easy.
"But I think, as Ferrari, when you work for such an incredible brand, it’s not good enough and you’ve got to target winning."
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A positive slant
Nonetheless, Leclerc was keen to underline the progression the team has made over the campaign, following an underwhelming start to the year.
Aside from Lewis Hamilton's sprint win at the Chinese Grand Prix, it was not until the fifth round that a Ferrari reached the podium in a full-length race.
Leclerc has gone on to visit the rostrum seven times, including at the past two weekends, in the United States and Mexico.
"Having said all that, considering where we started the season and where we are now, it’s a good season," the 28-year-old added.
"It’s a very good improvement throughout the season, as it’s been very difficult at the beginning of the year to understand exactly what we had to tackle with this new car.
"But, yeah, to now be fighting still for second in the constructors’ should be our target. And for next year, we’ll target higher for sure."
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