Mattia Binotto: Mercedes are still the "benchmark"

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has said that Mercedes are still the “benchmark” on the grid with their lead in the championship, despite the Scuderia claiming three wins in the past four races.

The first half of the season the Scuderia had failed to win a race while Mercedes dominated, winning 10 of 12 races courtesy of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
 
But after the summer break it has been a huge success for Ferrari as Charles Leclerc set four poles in a row and claimed back to back wins in Spa and Belgium while Sebastian Vettel won in Singapore.
 
Despite the dominance the past few races Binotto feels Mercedes are still the team to beat in Suzuka with Red Bull also looking competitive.
 
“We cannot neglect that we set the four poles in the last four grands prix but we’ve seen as well that our competitors have brought some upgrades here,” Binotto said.
 
“The Red Bull and the Honda will be very competitive this weekend as well. The weekend will be shortened because of tomorrow.
 
“Sunday morning the conditions can be very difficult for everybody after, let me say, the bad weather of tomorrow. So, I think it will be a difficult and challenging weekend for everybody.
 
“More important that we are focused on ourselves. A few balance issues to be addressed.
 
“Again, I think the benchmark are still the cars which are ahead in the Championship and we are still the challengers but I’m pretty sure we can be competitive and this is our objective.”
 
Due to Typhoon Hagibis in Japan there is no action at Suzuka on Saturday and qualifying will take place four hours before the race on Sunday, making for an interesting weekend of Formula 1.