Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne has promised that they will be in a "much stronger" position by the Italian Grand Prix in September.

The team has had an encouraging opening eight races, with Sebastian Vettel claiming their first win in almost two years in Malaysia three months ago.

However, they still trail leaders Mercedes by 136 points in the constructors' standings, but Marchionne is confident that they will close the gap.

He told reporters: "I think that you will see the car develop as we go through the season. We are not finished, the car is going to get better and better.

"We started late, which is unfortunate, so we are making up lost ground. But I feel relatively comfortable that by the time we hit Monza we are going to be in a much stronger position than we have been in all season."

Ferrari will have an opportunity to bridge the gap to Mercedes at the British Grand Prix next weekend.