Ferrari entered the ultimate race of the 2024 System 1 marketing campaign with their eyes set on ending a 16-year championship drought.
Group 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. Nonetheless, regardless of robust performances from each drivers, the Scuderia fell brief.
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 staff 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 exceptional drive couldn’t tip the scales. The Maranello staff’s late-season kind confirmed promise, with enhancements coming after a rocky interval marred by a failed replace bundle launched in Spain. Nonetheless, persistent strategic blunders all year long proved pricey, finally making the distinction of their slim title defeat.
Talking to *The Race*, technical skilled Gary Anderson highlighted Ferrari’s technique points as a vital space for enchancment heading into 2025. The Northern Irish semi-retired racing automotive designer and motorsport pundit emphasised that addressing the considerations raised by Carlos Sainz concerning the staff’s decision-making on race days is crucial, particularly with Lewis Hamilton set to hitch the Scuderia. Gary Anderson warned that ironing out these flaws will probably 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 prompt that the staff wants to handle its tendency to take too lengthy to acknowledge when it has pursued the fallacious growth path. He identified that Ferrari’s mid-season droop was a major consider shedding the 2024 title. He additionally pressured the significance of avoiding technique errors, which have traditionally hindered the staff.
Anderson famous that Ferrari appeared to deal with high-pressure conditions in a different way from routine ones, which led to pricey errors. He cited the Las Vegas Grand Prix for example, the place errors pissed off each drivers. He emphasised that the technique staff ought to all the time concentrate on making choices based mostly on the quick scenario, whether or not the drivers are competing on the entrance or farther down the sector. Whereas Ferrari has made strides in bettering its strategic method, 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 staff, Gary Anderson asserted that the Maranello staff 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 staff dynamic at Ferrari this 12 months 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 surroundings. Nonetheless, whereas Leclerc and Hamilton don’t have any identified animosity between them, Anderson prompt that the camaraderie might rapidly evaporate if the 2 discover themselves locked in a fierce championship battle. The rivalry for supremacy throughout the staff might pressure their relationship, particularly if each drivers are equally aggressive.
Anderson additionally speculated that Ferrari’s administration may tilt their assist towards Hamilton at the beginning of the season, partly because of the substantial monetary dedication they’ve made to safe the seven-time world champion. He famous that Hamilton’s wage is prone to be considerably larger than Leclerc’s, a disparity which may not sit properly with Leclerc or his staff, significantly 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 vital moments. He highlighted the Las Vegas Grand Prix as a major instance, the place poor technique choices marred what might have been a stronger efficiency. Based on Anderson, Ferrari should handle 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 things flawlessly in System 1 on a constant foundation. He acknowledged that whereas the staff had typically carried out properly by way of technique and race administration all through the season, they fell brief on this specific event. The Spanish driver emphasised the necessity for Ferrari to study 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 in the course of the race. The staff 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, may need influenced their means to make optimum split-second choices, additional complicating the scenario.
Gary Anderson predicts Monaco Grand Prix because the pivotal occasion for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s rivalry
Ought to Ferrari keep the upward trajectory they demonstrated on the finish of final season, they stand a strong probability of contending for each the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. Nonetheless, managing the dynamic between their star drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, will probably be a vital problem for staff principal Frederic Vasseur.
Whereas Purple Bull and Mercedes will probably focus their efforts solely on Max Verstappen and George Russell respectively, Ferrari—like McLaren—might face inside competitors. Balancing the ambitions of two title-contending drivers would require cautious administration to keep away from inside friction.
Based on 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 house race, lastly triumphed there final season, showcasing his distinctive expertise.
Gary Anderson believes the race might function a definitive “showdown” between the 2 drivers, probably figuring out who the Maranello staff will again for the rest of the championship marketing campaign.
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