Scuderia Ferrari narrowly missed out on the Constructors’ Championship within the 2024 System 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 avoided revealing the place they misplaced the crucial 14 factors.
The French supervisor has “a number 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 Crimson Bull, who had led the Constructors’ Championship early within the season earlier than fading.
Unreliability in the course of the last spherical of the season barely hindered Ferrari, and Fred Vasseur would have been dissatisfied by the misplaced factors at such a vital time. The staff additionally suffered a double non-finish in Canada, marking a disastrous weekend the place essentially the most useful factors have been misplaced. Fred Vasseur famous that the Maranello staff didn’t make sufficient enhancements in comparison with final 12 months, regardless of taking the title battle to the ultimate spherical: “An excellent [step], however not sufficient. In the event you evaluate with one 12 months in the past, it’s an enormous step ahead, and all the pieces is nice; we did [season] when it comes to pitstop, technique, reliability – we improved in all places when it comes to pure efficiency.” – the Ferrari staff boss defined – “On the finish, 14 factors are lacking and I believe 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 now have to do a greater job subsequent 12 months. But in addition fairly pleased with the step that we did. McLaren additionally had some points, and it’s simply that we now have to do a greater job subsequent 12 months. However I’m additionally fairly pleased 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 a vital position in Ferrari’s efficiency. Whereas the staff confirmed spectacular pace at key races, akin to Monaco and the US Grand Prix, McLaren proved to have a quicker automotive total in the course of the 12 months.
The Constructors’ Champions demonstrated distinctive tempo, significantly in the course of the mid-season, however Ferrari’s automotive was notably extra unpredictable, with peak efficiency at particular races reasonably than sustained superiority. This unpredictability, nonetheless, didn’t hinder the reliability of each Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who managed to attenuate 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 might be essential for them to begin the 2025 season with an excellent 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 operating to successfully compete towards the highest groups.
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