Scuderia Ferrari narrowly missed out on the Constructors’ Championship within the 2024 Method 1 marketing campaign, with McLaren taking the title by simply 14 factors.
Heading into the ultimate spherical at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island, the Italian facet was in second place within the standings, 21 factors behind their rivals. This put McLaren in a defensive place on the last race, whereas Ferrari had nothing to lose of their bid for the championship.
Charles Leclerc confronted a difficult weekend, as a battery change throughout Friday apply resulted in a 10-place grid penalty. The Monegasque driver additionally struggled in qualifying, failing to make the highest 10 and beginning close to the again of the grid.
Ferrari staff principal Frederic Vasseur believes the staff made progress this season however has kept away from revealing the place they misplaced the essential 14 factors.
The French supervisor has “plenty of ideas” on the place Ferrari misplaced the championship. Ferrari confirmed robust efficiency on quite a lot of tracks with totally different downforce ranges, with the Monegasque driver securing victories in Monaco and on the Italian Grand Prix. After Monaco, Ferrari was 24 factors behind Pink Bull, who had led the Constructors’ Championship early within the season earlier than fading.
Unreliability through the last spherical of the season barely hindered Ferrari, and Fred Vasseur would have been upset by the misplaced factors at such an important time. The staff additionally suffered a double non-finish in Canada, marking a disastrous weekend the place probably the most beneficial factors had been misplaced. Fred Vasseur famous that the Maranello staff didn’t make sufficient enhancements in comparison with final yr, regardless of taking the title combat to the ultimate spherical: “An excellent [step], however not sufficient. When you evaluate with one yr in the past, it’s an enormous step ahead, and all the pieces is nice; we did a great [season] by way of pitstop, technique, reliability – we improved in every single place by way of pure efficiency.” – the Ferrari staff boss defined – “On the finish, 14 factors are lacking and I feel if you’re 80 or 100 factors behind you don’t really feel the frustration. I’ve tonnes of ideas in my thoughts the place we misplaced the 14 factors, however it’s like it’s. McLaren additionally had some points, and it’s simply that we’ve to do a greater job subsequent yr. But additionally fairly happy with the step that we did. McLaren additionally had some points, and it’s simply that we’ve to do a greater job subsequent yr. However I’m additionally fairly happy with the step that we did.” – the French supervisor continued.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz each displayed exceptional consistency all through the season, which performed an important position in Ferrari’s efficiency. Whereas the staff confirmed spectacular pace at key races, resembling Monaco and america Grand Prix, McLaren proved to have a quicker automobile total through the yr.
The Constructors’ Champions demonstrated distinctive tempo, notably through the mid-season, however Ferrari’s automobile was notably extra unpredictable, with peak efficiency at particular races slightly than sustained superiority. This unpredictability, nevertheless, didn’t hinder the reliability of each Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who managed to reduce errors and constantly rating factors, permitting Ferrari to construct regular momentum over the course of the season.
James Hinchcliffe acknowledged Ferrari’s robust exhibiting, declaring that whereas the staff’s efficiency was spectacular, it could be essential for them to begin the 2025 season with a fair stronger basis. The addition of Lewis Hamilton to the staff can be a key issue of their efforts to problem for each the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. With this new dynamic, Ferrari might want to guarantee they hit the bottom working to successfully compete in opposition to the highest groups.
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