Can Ferrari battle for the 2024 Method 1 constructors’ championship till the tip of the season? This query begins at present’s article. A query that our editorial workers has already addressed on a number of events.
Earlier than shifting on to Ferrari and the Maranello staff’s prospects for the ultimate a part of the championship, let’s shift focus to the close to way forward for Method 1. After years of stagnation within the driver market, we’re at the moment witnessing an actual revolution that may change issues within the coming months.
If you consider it, Pink Bull has determined to advertise Liam Lawson because the lead driver at Racing Bulls, abruptly firing the “outdated guard” Daniel Ricciardo. Italian supervisor Flavio Briatore, with Alpine, has already promoted Jack Doohan. The prodigal son of Maranello, Oliver Bearman, has secured a seat at Haas for subsequent yr. Kimi Antonelli is about to reach at Mercedes, introduced by Toto Wolff as an official driver. To not point out the various rumors that the Argentine Franco Colapinto may discover a seat in Method 1. We’re speaking about 5 new younger drivers who will probably be on the beginning grid.
It has been a very long time since such a broad generational turnover has been seen in a very powerful class of motorsport. Performing some math, 25% of the drivers who will probably be on the grid subsequent yr weren’t current on the beginning line of the 2024 racing marketing campaign. A exceptional truth, to say the least. Nonetheless, it have to be mentioned that there are different a lot “older” drivers who proceed to be a part of the grid, reminiscent of Fernando Alonso or the subsequent Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton. Some groups choose to not wager on new expertise however depend on the so referred to as “tried and examined” drivers.
A follow which will or could not work. On this regard, can we are saying that the present technology of Method 1 vehicles is simpler to drive than these of the latest previous? Who is aware of… Or perhaps the brand new drivers are merely significantly better ready. Many are ignoring this duality of thought concerning those that sit in an F1 automotive and grip the steering wheel throughout race weekends. It’s a matter that ought to be addressed extra fastidiously, because it may result in a number of fascinating reflections. At this level, let’s transfer on to Ferrari and what stays of the 2024 Method 1 championship.
After the primary races of the 2024 racing marketing campaign, with none doubt, we couldn’t have imagined an autumn just like the one that’s about to reach. The overall impression, on the finish of spring, was that, though not as clearly as in 2023, Pink Bull may win two extra championships with out an excessive amount of effort given the efficiency of Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes within the first races. A championship that, up till now, has seen seven totally different winners, with 4 totally different groups elevating their colours on the highest step of the rostrum. How great. Exactly for that reason, we can’t assist however reiterate a thought: each F1 championship standings are nonetheless open.
There are nonetheless six races left, three Dash Races, and the much-discussed extra “bonus level” for the quickest lap. It has been a number of years since we skilled such an intense and spectacular finale. From an goal viewpoint, for Method 1, it’s a second of nice magnificence. It’s also price stating that, when issues went effectively through the championships of the final 15 years, there have been solely two groups preventing to win. Whereas this yr, we’ve got seen 4 groups present the flexibility to compete for victory at numerous moments of the season. The fascinating truth is that this: not understanding who can have the very best playing cards to play within the subsequent race.
Making a prediction is all the time difficult, nonetheless a thought is critical: after the Miami Grand Prix, the Englishman Lando Norris was 52 factors behind championship chief Max Verstappen. Whereas, seven races later, the hole has solely narrowed by a single level. Subsequently, being rational, the Dutchman from Pink Bull ought to have the ability to verify himself as champion. On the identical time, additionally it is true that the 2 McLaren MCL38 vehicles have proven a special tempo on any monitor. That’s why, in the event that they cease losing efficiency and handle to realize a few one-two finishes within the subsequent races, clearly with Lando Norris in entrance, Max Verstappen can be in deep trouble.
From Singapore to the US Grand Prix in Austin, the assorted groups have time to greatest put together the ultimate developments on the vehicles and end the final a part of the championship at peak efficiency. Max Verstappen has a transparent benefit: if Lando Norris, for any motive, suffers a retirement, his championship is over because of this. The world champion is placing collectively a collection of superlative performances, not like his Pink Bull teammate. Simply consider the Singapore Grand Prix, the place he contributed considerably with the second place within the qualifying session, which, actually, paved the way in which for him to achieve the second step of the rostrum on Sunday and as soon as once more have the ability to restrict the harm.
When the purple automotive reveals the supposed leap in high quality, one thing all the time occurs mechanically. These are moments the place it’s authentic to have hope till, after all, the chilly bathe arrives proper on time. There’s a curiosity that grips followers. We’re all ready to see how Ferrari staff principal Frederic Vasseur, nonetheless Ferrari’s technical director amongst different issues, will christen the newest improvements on the Ferrari SF-24 from the Austin Grand Prix. It’s an fascinating dialogue, contemplating the truth that if the Italian automotive performs strongly (or much more so) like within the final races, the Prancing Horse may develop into the referee of the 2024 Method 1 championship.
If Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc handle to get in between McLaren and Pink Bull and even, on sure events, keep forward of the Woking vehicles, the state of affairs would change radically. This context may even preserve the constructors’ championship open if Ferrari is ready to take down their opponents within the subsequent two races. At this stage of the season, the efficiency benefit of the MCL38 is really vital. Nevertheless, the break will carry perception and, as talked about, may permit Ferrari and Mercedes to make a comeback.
However, if we take into consideration Ferrari after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the probabilities of successful each races, specifically the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix for Charles Leclerc had been fairly real looking. The Monegasque driver may have executed it on the Baku Metropolis circuit with out the error after the pit cease. A missed alternative that weighs closely. In the meantime, on the Marina Bay road circuit, with a special end result within the qualifying session, no less than second place was undoubtedly throughout the attain of automotive quantity 16. That’s why we should speak about an ever-evolving context that could be very attractive. It’s actually not straightforward, however based mostly on what we’ve got seen throughout this Method 1 season, it wouldn’t be clever to rule out any aggressive state of affairs.
However, contemplating every thing we’ve got mentioned, if McLaren manages to lose the constructors’ championship, it might be fairly an image to border, in a adverse sense, after all. At this stage of the season, the supremacy of the MCL38 is really vital. A automotive that works brilliantly on each sort of monitor. So, we eagerly await developments, with the attention that, a method or one other, this Method 1 championship will probably be remembered as one of the crucial fascinating within the panorama of recent F1. Particularly if Ferrari manages to drag off the so-called main coup.”
— see video above —
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
