Purple Bull driver Max Verstappen sits 80 factors clear on the prime of the drivers’ standings forward of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix after profitable eight of the 13 races earlier than the summer time break.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has misplaced floor on Verstappen attributable to reliability points that brought on him to retire whereas main in each Spain and Azerbaijan, in addition to spinning out from the lead in France.
The massive hole on the prime of the championship provides a unique proposition to 2021, when Verstappen clinched the title by overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
Domenicali mentioned it will be “improbable” from a business standpoint for F1 to “arrive on the final lap of the final race” once more with the title up for grabs, albeit “with a much less confrontational level” given the controversy of Verstappen’s title win.
Though he acknowledged the 80-point hole was “so much” for Leclerc and Ferrari to make up, Domenicali mirrored on Raikkonen’s title win in 2007, the place a 17-point deficit was overturned with 20 accessible to beat McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso to the title.
“From my earlier expertise, you need to by no means say by no means,” Domenicali mentioned, having served as Ferrari’s sporting director when Raikkonen received the championship.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75
Picture by: Ferrari
“As a result of bear in mind in 2007, two races to go, we had been behind by 17 factors, and Kimi was in a position to win the championship in Brazil. Nobody was anticipating that.
“I do know it is a huge quantity, however I do not see why Ferrari should not be getting again once more within the combat with Purple Bull.
“Purple Bull is a really robust crew, Mercedes will develop, however actually, the one factor I can say, due to my place, is that they should not quit in any respect as much as the final second.”
Domenicali was assured the second half of the F1 season would function “loads of surprises” that he hoped would delight the followers who’ve made the remaining races this 12 months sell-out occasions.
“Errors, reliability, climate circumstances, who is aware of? The one factor that’s vital that, and I am positive they are going to be, [Ferrari] have to remain centered,” Domenicali mentioned.
“From Belgium as much as the tip, all the grands prix are bought out, so lots of people have already booked the tickets to return. So Belgium, day by day will likely be greater than 120,000 individuals. Zandvoort you’ll be able to think about the identical. Monza, greater than 250,000 tickets bought. Singapore, bought out.
“That is actually one thing that’s already reserved. So I hope we will have an amazing race and an amazing second a part of the season.”