Ferrari have been humble in defeat led by team chief Maurizio Arrivabene who congratulated newly crowned Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton after the Mexican Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver did the business on Sunday when he finished fourth at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, while Ferrari and their ace driver Sebastian Vettel was only good for second place, thus handing the title to the Briton.
Ferrari boss Arrivabene said after the race, “Today’s result reflects the determination of the entire team, after a less than ideal qualifying on a track where aerodynamic downforce and tyre management are fundamentally important.”
“Seb and Kimi both drove great races. Thanks to the efforts of the team, both here at the track and back in Maranello, the Constructors’ Championship is still undecided and the team has closed the points gap over the past two races.”
“We are therefore determined to fight all the way to the finish, starting with the next grand prix in Brazil. Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton on his fifth Drivers’ World Championship title,” added the Italian team chief.
On the day, Ferrari with Vettel second and Kimi Raikkonen outscored their Mercedes rivals, with Hamilton in fourth and Valtteri Bottas fifth.
The Reds trail the Silver Arrows by 55 points in the constructors’ standings with two rounds remaining in the championship, at Interlagos and Yas Marina Circuit.