Sergio Marchionne has suggested that Ferrari will stay the course, despite admitting that the great Italian marque has disappointed in the opening half of 2016.

Both in the influential Italian press and beyond, the perception is that Ferrari are now in 'crisis', having failed to deliver president Marchionne's pre-season targets and now having lost technical boss James Allison.

Ferrari have promoted from within - Mattia Binotto - to replace Allison, and Marchionne seems happy with that decision.

"We took the decision to develop the cars in 2016 and 2017 with our internal expertise because we have phenomenal talent," he is quoted as saying by the Italian media.

"For us it is important to utilise our know-how and that is what we are doing. To say that we need a transfusion of technical intelligence is excessive.

"I'd be lying if I said that I was satisfied, though, so we hope that the second half will be better."

However, Marchionne insists that he continues to support Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene.

"We took on Arrivabene because he knows Formula 1, and we need a team boss like him who is able to work with the people and lead the team," he is quoted as saying by Corriere della Sera.

Marchionne also said that Ferrari's driver lineup is right.

"Sebastian [Vettel] is a champion," he insisted, "and we have rightly recognised the work Kimi has done with a new contract for next season.

"I want us to end this season with honour, decency, having given our all at every grand prix. But we cannot waste any more time."

Ferrari now sit 14 points below second-placed Red Bull in the standings.