Former Formula One champion Emerson Fittipaldi has conceded his vision on Ferrari was ‘wrong’ having witnessed Red Bull’s valiant comeback in the last two races at Imola and Miami.
The title rivals took maximum points in Ferrari’s home race with Max Verstappen winning the Sprint and the race itself, as well as securing the fastest lap, while Sergio Perez came in second.
Similar success was enjoyed by Red Bull in Miami, where Verstappen won for the second race in a row and, while Perez could only come fourth following issues with his car, it left Charles Leclerc’s lead at just 19 points but Ferrari’s advantage in the Constructor’s Championship read in single figures.
That has seen Fittipaldi rethink his assessments on the battle for the title after he admitted he never expected such a strong response from Red Bull following the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
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“I think I had the wrong opinion previously. I have to accept that my vision was wrong. I never expected Red Bull coming back so strong after Jeddah. But with new engine power, they are much more reliable than for the first few Grands Prix,” he told VegasInsider.
“I’m sure the new car is working well within the new rules package, with both the aerodynamic and mechanical package and that’s showing now. It was a big surprise for me.”
Those results in the past two race weekends have left things delicately poised heading into a crucial stage of the season, with Barcelona marking the start of the first double-header of the season with Monaco swiftly following, and Fittipaldi believes the battle for the championship will be ‘beautiful’.
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Charles Leclerc has seen his championship lead cut to just 19 points following back-to-back wins for Max Verstappen.
“I think it’s going to be a beautiful championship to watch for the racing fans globally,” he added. “Seeing Ferrari fighting with Red Bull, Red Bull fighting Ferrari. Like it was last year with Mercedes, now it’s Ferrari. I think that’s great for motor sports because Ferrari has fanatic fans all over the world. I have to respect Red Bull a lot , they have come back very strong.”
Barcelona has previously been a stronghold for Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton, who has won the last five events, but the scene is set for a new victor in Catalonia – where Carlos Sainz will have big hopes with Ferrari in his home Grand Prix.
Verstappen previously won at Barcelona in 2016 on his Red Bull debut, securing his first Formula One win and planting the seeds for his eventual championship success in 2021.
