And team boss Mattia Binotto warned, the scarlet scuderia and their fans cannot expect the upgrades package planned for the third race at Budapest to deliver a ‘silver bullet’ solution to their problems.

Brawn, who guided Michael Schumacher to five drivers’ titles at Ferrari, is now Formula One’s motorsport managing director and on Monday suggested that four-time champion Vettel is understandably distracted after being told this is his last year with the team.

In comments issued on Monday, Brawn said: “It was a difficult start to Sebastian’s final season with the team — everything must be swirling around in his head after finding out that Ferrari don’t want his services next season.

“Sometimes, the things that put a driver off are quite subtle. Sebastian has appeared surprised and shocked by what has happened and that must be a distraction. Understandably so.”

Vettel qualified only 11th and then clashed with McLaren’s Carlos Sainz, the man who succeeds him at Maranello next year, before grabbing a point by finishing 10th.

“It was a disappointing race for me, even if we knew beforehand it would be tough,” said Vettel. “I struggled for the entire race after the first two laps, just as I had done in qualifying. The balance and speed I had on Friday slipped away, and I was really struggling to keep the car on track — it was a relief that I only spun once.”

Binotto said; “I think that we need to improve our car. There are some miscorrelations with the design, especially the aero, and that is a development we have started again.

“It won’t be a final solution. There is no silver bullet.

“If I look at qualifying, compared to the pole, we are missing a second — that’s three-tenths in cornering, but then there is still seven-tenths on the straights.

“And I think that one will be very much difficult for us because engines are frozen for the season.”