Faltering form leaves Ferrari flat

World champions Ferrari admit they are at a loss to solve their dramatic slump in performance this season.

Ferrari are all but certain to lose their grip on both world titles, after five seasons of domination, following a meek defence this term.

Michael Schumacher has only rarely been a victory challenger – with his only triumph coming when 14 of his rivals pulled out at Indianapolis – and has struggled with a mediocre car.

The German’s season hit a new low when he retired in Turkey following several errors throughout the weekend and lap times described by one of his rivals, Mark Webber, as “extremely slow”.

Schumacher said: “It’s sad but true, at no time over the weekend were we competitive, not in qualifying, during the race nor even during free practice.

“Unfortunately we could not continue the form we had shown at Hockenheim or Budapest. We have, instead, taken a step back.”

His team boss Jean Todt was equally gloomy, adding: “There was definitely no light here. It was very dark.”

The Frenchman hinted that Ferrari’s Bridgestone tyres are a major contributor to their problems.

Bridgestone supplied older-specification tyres in Turkey, with their more promising new compound unsuitable for the Istanbul Otodrom and Todt feels that explains some of their troubles.

“We were using the same car in Budapest [when Schumacher was second] with completely different tyres,” he said.

“We saw that we were very quick in qualifying, we were very quick for the first third of the race. Then we started to drop performance so it gives us and our partners some indications.

“But then you have to analyse those indications, you have to work – it’s a very complicated thing. If it would be easy, we would not be facing this situation.”

Todt still harbours hope of salvaging some pride this season and set his sights on third place in the constructors’ championship.

Ferrari’s current troubles are summed up by Todt’s acceptance that they are not yet sure of third spot, despite a 15-point cushion over Toyota with just five races to go.

He added: “I want to finish in the best position in the table as possible. I’ve lost the dream to win both championships, but now at least we have to secure third position if possible.”