Formula 1's top boss believes Max Verstappen is a long way from having sewn up his title defence this season as Ferrari are "very close" to spoiling the party.
The Dutchman has opened up a 46-point lead over his nearest rival, Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc is three points further behind after a number of setbacks including on-track mistakes and some engine reliability issues in his car.
In the constructors' championship, the gap is even larger with Red Bull enjoying a 76-point cushion to Ferrari, while the gap to Mercedes in third is an extra 40 as they struggle with their own performance issues. While 13 races remain in the 2022 campaign, Red Bull and Verstappen are well placed in both their title bids.
While admitting that Verstappen's trophy defence looks in strong shape, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali still believes his old team Ferrari can bring real competition to the title race. He also thinks the fightback could begin as soon as at the next race, the British Grand Prix on the first weekend of July.
"If you remember after three races of the season, the comment from Max Verstappen was that the game was over and Ferrari was leading by 40 points or so," the Italian told the Evening Standard. "Now, it's the other way around, because Max is leading the championship by 46 points.
"I would say we need to be prudent. The championship is very long and is going to have lots of ups and downs. It's too early to say the championship is finished, and I say that not because I hope that but I do believe that. We're just one third of the season in. There are a lot of races and I'm sure the championship will be tight."
Not only does he feel Ferrari remain in the hunt, but the F1 chief also backed the likes of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell to be racing at the front more often. "[Leclerc] is in great shape and Ferrari are very close," Domenicali added. "I also see signs that Mercedes are getting faster, so the scenario for the championship is to be close.
"It all depends how the cars adapt to the circuits and how, with this budget cap, the teams relay upgrades to the car. That's the beauty of the situation we're in. For sure, Mercedes are going to be closer, because they are an incredible team and all the titles achieved in the past – eight in a row. They're going to be there – they will not give up – and that will help for the situation to be a little more mixed up."
