When Merc went for a long wheelbase they were too good, when they chose a short wheelbase they are strong too...signifies that the ideas and the good understanding they have. Ferrari with a shorter wheelbase lost out to Merc because of the Merc engine which was very powerful at that time, now Ferrari thought that they have a strong powerful engine ...better than Merc but at most its equal...may be some where ahead but the knowledge to work a longer wheelbase is still missing in the Ferrari...hence this issue. By the time they finally understand the season will be over
I would have personally liked Ferrari to stick to the short wheelbase as they had immense knowledge over it and they could have beaten Merc this season. Sad that any new thing Ferrari does they have an opponent who is outsmarting them.
This season is gradually looking to be a repeat of 2016. They had their chances in 2018 and 2017 but they threw it away.