Ferrari entered the ultimate race of the 2024 Formulation 1 marketing campaign with their eyes set on ending a 16-year championship drought.
Staff principal Frederic Vasseur had excessive hopes for securing the Constructors’ Championship, particularly after Oscar Piastri spun out at Flip 1 following contact with Max Verstappen. Nevertheless, regardless of robust performances from each drivers, the Scuderia fell quick.
Carlos Sainz, competing in his final race for Ferrari earlier than his transfer to Williams, delivered a podium end alongside teammate Charles Leclerc. But, Lando Norris’ victory in Abu Dhabi sealed McLaren’s first workforce championship of the century, edging Ferrari out by simply 14 factors.
Charles Leclerc’s race was nothing wanting spectacular, recovering 16 locations to complete strongly, however even his outstanding drive couldn’t tip the scales. The Maranello workforce’s late-season type confirmed promise, with enhancements coming after a rocky interval marred by a failed replace bundle launched in Spain. Nevertheless, persistent strategic blunders all year long proved pricey, in the end making the distinction of their slender title defeat.
Talking to *The Race*, technical professional Gary Anderson highlighted Ferrari’s technique points as a crucial space for enchancment heading into 2025. The Northern Irish semi-retired racing automobile designer and motorsport pundit emphasised that addressing the issues raised by Carlos Sainz in regards to the workforce’s decision-making on race days is important, particularly with Lewis Hamilton set to hitch the Scuderia. Gary Anderson warned that ironing out these flaws will likely be essential if Ferrari hopes to mount a stronger title problem with Hamilton within the cockpit subsequent season.
Discussing Ferrari’s efficiency in 2024 and potential areas for enchancment in 2025, Gary Anderson instructed that the workforce wants to handle its tendency to take too lengthy to acknowledge when it has pursued the incorrect growth path. He identified that Ferrari’s mid-season stoop was a major think about shedding the 2024 title. He additionally careworn the significance of avoiding technique errors, which have traditionally hindered the workforce.
Anderson famous that Ferrari appeared to deal with high-pressure conditions in another way from routine ones, which led to pricey errors. He cited the Las Vegas Grand Prix for instance, the place errors pissed off each drivers. He emphasised that the technique workforce ought to at all times give attention to making choices primarily based on the rapid state of affairs, whether or not the drivers are competing on the entrance or farther down the sphere. Whereas Ferrari has made strides in bettering its strategic strategy, Anderson highlighted Carlos Sainz’s frequent radio messages suggesting changes or voicing dissatisfaction with calls throughout races. With Lewis Hamilton becoming a member of the workforce, Gary Anderson asserted that the Maranello workforce should guarantee it resolves these points to satisfy the calls for of the upcoming season.
Anderson cautioned that Charles Leclerc may face a considerably altered workforce dynamic at Ferrari this yr following Carlos Sainz’s departure.
Leclerc and Sainz shared a cordial and productive relationship throughout their time as teammates, a dynamic that contributed to a comparatively harmonious working setting. Nevertheless, whereas Leclerc and Hamilton shouldn’t have any identified animosity between them, Anderson instructed that the camaraderie may rapidly evaporate if the 2 discover themselves locked in a fierce championship battle. The rivalry for supremacy throughout the workforce may pressure their relationship, particularly if each drivers are equally aggressive.
Anderson additionally speculated that Ferrari’s administration may tilt their assist towards Hamilton at first of the season, partly as a result of substantial monetary dedication they’ve made to safe the seven-time world champion. He famous that Hamilton’s wage is more likely to be considerably greater than Leclerc’s, a disparity that may not sit effectively with Leclerc or his workforce, notably if it ends in perceived favoritism towards the British driver in key choices.
Regardless of Ferrari’s efforts to resolve longstanding points, Anderson remarked that their 2024 season was removed from flawless, with strategic missteps nonetheless inflicting issues at crucial moments. He highlighted the Las Vegas Grand Prix as a major instance, the place poor technique choices marred what may have been a stronger efficiency. In keeping with Anderson, Ferrari should tackle these lingering weaknesses to completely capitalize on their potential and supply a steady platform for each Leclerc and Hamilton to compete successfully.
After the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the place Ferrari confronted criticism for his or her strategic choices affecting each drivers, Carlos Sainz instructed the press that the race highlighted the significance of executing all the pieces flawlessly in Formulation 1 on a constant foundation. He acknowledged that whereas the workforce had usually carried out effectively by way of technique and race administration all through the season, they fell quick on this specific event. The Spanish driver emphasised the necessity for Ferrari to be taught from the expertise and guarantee they return stronger for the Qatar Grand Prix.
Leclerc was visibly upset with Sainz after lacking out on a podium end, however Ferrari later clarified to him that a few of the points stemmed from his personal errors throughout the race. The workforce reportedly reviewed his efficiency and identified the place he had contributed to his personal challenges. Moreover, Leclerc’s working relationship together with his race engineer, Bryan Bozzi, might need influenced their means to make optimum split-second choices, additional complicating the state of affairs.
Gary Anderson predicts Monaco Grand Prix because the pivotal occasion for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s rivalry
Ought to Ferrari preserve the upward trajectory they demonstrated on the finish of final season, they stand a stable probability of contending for each the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. Nevertheless, managing the dynamic between their star drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, will likely be a crucial problem for workforce principal Frederic Vasseur.
Whereas Purple Bull and Mercedes will doubtless focus their efforts solely on Max Verstappen and George Russell respectively, Ferrari—like McLaren—may face inner competitors. Balancing the ambitions of two title-contending drivers would require cautious administration to keep away from inner friction.
In keeping with Gary Anderson, the early races of the 2025 season will set the tone for Ferrari’s championship technique. Talking to The Race, he singled out the Monte Carlo Grand Prix as a possible turning level within the Leclerc-Hamilton rivalry. Gary Anderson famous that each drivers excel on the long-lasting road circuit. Hamilton, a three-time winner in Monaco, brings expertise and precision, whereas Charles Leclerc, after years of heartbreak at his residence race, lastly triumphed there final season, showcasing his distinctive expertise.
Gary Anderson believes the race may function a definitive “showdown” between the 2 drivers, doubtlessly figuring out who the Maranello workforce will again for the rest of the championship marketing campaign.
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