Set-up, not car concept, behind F1 deficit to Red Bull

The Italian squad had hoped to be able to lead the challenge against Red Bull in F1’s season opener last weekend. 

But despite pushing its rival hard in qualifying, worse tyre degradation in the race left it well adrift before Charles Leclerc suffered an engine problem while running third.

PLUS: The critical Red Bull tyre tactic Ferrari couldn’t copy in Bahrain GP

That left the door open for a hard-charging Fernando Alonso to swoop his Aston Martin past Carlos…