Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto claimed his team can win all 10 races remaining in the season – potentially scuppering Lewis Hamilton in his bid to get back on the top step of the podium.
So far in his long and trophy-laden career, the Brit is yet to complete a full season without winning at least one race. His least successful campaign was in 2013 when his only victory came at the Hungaroring – the venue for this weekend's Grand Prix.
Given recent car improvements from Mercedes and in the wake of his best result of the season so far in France, Hamilton will hope he can repeat the trick. But defending champion Max Verstappen will be hard to beat, and Ferrari have plans of their own to prevent the 37-year-old from getting back on top.
The Italian team is reeling from another disastrous weekend which saw another potential victory slip through their fingers. They have been affected by engine problems and poor reliability, but this time it was a driver error which saw Charles Leclerc lose grip and crash out while in the lead.
Ferrari were still questioned about their tactics when it came to Carlos Sainz, though, as a bizarre pit stop decision appeared to cost him the chance of a podium spot. Both the Spaniard and his boss, though, insisted the team made the right call.
Despite their latest DNF and accusations of poor tactics, Binotto boldly claimed his team is capable of dominating the second half of the 2022 campaign. "At the end of the season we will see where we are, but I think what’s more important to see today, once again, the good package, there is no reason why we cannot win 10 races from now to the end," he told De Telegraaf.
"And I think that the way to look at this positively – and I like to be positive, staying optimistic – could something happen to Max and Red Bull? I'm not counting on it, we need to be focusing on ourselves and do our best."
Meanwhile, Hamilton is hoping to repeat what he managed in 2009 while racing for McLaren. After being uncompetitive all season, the Brit made the most of his much improved car to secure a shock win in Hungary.
"So far we have not made that big step that we did in 2009 to win in Budapest but who knows? We are not giving up," said Hamilton after the French Grand Prix. "We are staying pedal to the metal. Maybe our car will be good in Hungary, maybe we will be closer to Red Bull and Ferrari. I hope so much that we will be because I love that track."
