Arrivabene: I am very angry and very disappointed

While Mercedes dominated on a tricky Saturday afternoon at Suzuka, with Lewis Hamilton leading Valterri Bottas in an all silver front row lock-out, Ferrari were left red-faced after a qualifying gaffe that their own boss did not understand.

The bizarre call by the Ferrari pitwall to tackle the first Q3 run with intermediate tyres cost them dearly, whether duped by their rivals or caused by their own doing, when the chequered flag waved to end the session Kimi Raikkonen was the best placed of their drivers in fourth while title contender Sebastian Vettel could only manage the ninth best time.

Speaking to reporters after the dismal afternoon, Arrivabene said, "From the way things were done, I do not think that pole position was within our reach, but what happened today is unacceptable. I am very angry. It is not the first time that these mistakes have occurred. I do not feel like pointing my fingers at someone in particular, but I'm very disappointed."

"Unlike on other occasions, it was easy to understand what was happening on the track, as all our opponents left the pits with slicks. Sometimes it is more useful to take your eyes off computers and watch the track, using common sense."

"It is true that we are a young team, and we are probably missing an 'old hand', an experienced person capable of reading situations correctly and quickly," reasoned the Ferrari team chief.

By his own account this is one of several self-inflicted mishaps that have plagued the team this season, asked if a reshuffle of personnel was on the cards, Arrivabene replied, "The calculations are done at the end of the year, and we will intervene if necessary."

Vettel trails Lewis Hamilton by 50 points in the drivers' championship standings while Ferrari are 53 points behind Mercedes constructors' championship with five rounds remaining.