Mattia Binotto, Ferrari’s Team Principal, faced the journalists in Monaco to speak about the issues of the Maranello team.

A black line, which started back in Germany for Sebastian Vettel, and with Ferrari’s last win in Austin with Kimi Raikkonen. From then on, the Italian team struggled on his way to the victory and the SF90, which presented itself like a promising car, is disappointing every expectation, from the fan’s to the team’s and drivers’.

Charles Leclerc was so close to his first win in Formula 1, but even in that occasion, the SF90 failed to deliver and accused an electrical problem which destroyed the Prancing Horse’s hopes.

“We understood our issues in Barcelona”, said Binotto, who is in the eye of the storm, “they were obvious in certain conditions, certain corners.”

“Our biggest issues is the tyres heating. They are quite different from last year’s compounds, which we knew well. This year’s tyres are working in a different window and we’re trying to focus on them as much as we can. They are quite different than expected, they warm up is difficult, the window is not the best. Issues in getting the temperatures, rear’s cooling, downforce on high and low speed, suspensions, balance in the corner.”

“Last year’s compounds were suffering from overheating. This year’s the contrary. We have to find the right working window, so we can improve our grip.”

However, the Italian team principal does not blame Pirelli: “I think they did a good job, but the cars come from different projects.”

Is the SF90’s project wrong, then?

Binotto insists that Ferrari is not re-starting a new project for 2019; instead, they’re trying to fix the original one, learn from it and have solid bases for the 2020 project.

“The 2020 project is fundamental, but we have to fix the 2019 one. Ferrari is a young group, because we all find ourselves in new positions. The car’s project comes from a engine- aerodynamic interactions; I’m the technical director, the team principal, I have to take care of a lot of stuff, but I obviously need support on the technical side.

“Being in a new position can mean creativity as well as issues and mistakes to learn from.”

The Team Principal admitted that the team has understood the SF90 problems, but it will be difficult to verify if they have fixed them here in Montecarlo.

“Monaco is totally a different race. We already had some differences between FP1 and FP2 and Charles hit some problems with the front tyres heating.”