Scuderia Ferrari narrowly missed out on the Constructors’ Championship within the 2024 Components 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 closing 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 workforce principal Frederic Vasseur believes the workforce 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 sturdy efficiency on a wide range of tracks with completely 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 in the course of the closing spherical of the season barely hindered Ferrari, and Fred Vasseur would have been dissatisfied by the misplaced factors at such a vital time. The workforce additionally suffered a double non-finish in Canada, marking a disastrous weekend the place probably the most worthwhile factors had been misplaced. Fred Vasseur famous that the Maranello workforce didn’t make sufficient enhancements in comparison with final 12 months, regardless of taking the title battle to the ultimate spherical: “A superb [step], however not sufficient. If you happen to examine with one 12 months in the past, it’s an enormous step ahead, and all the things is nice; we did a superb [season] by way of pitstop, technique, reliability – we improved all over the place by way of pure efficiency.” – the Ferrari workforce 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 12 months. 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 12 months. However I’m additionally fairly happy with the step that we did.” – the French supervisor continued.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz each displayed outstanding consistency all through the season, which performed a vital function in Ferrari’s efficiency. Whereas the workforce confirmed spectacular velocity at key races, reminiscent of Monaco and the US Grand Prix, McLaren proved to have a sooner automotive general 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 moderately than sustained superiority. This unpredictability, nonetheless, 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 sturdy exhibiting, stating that whereas the workforce’s efficiency was spectacular, it could be essential for them to start out the 2025 season with a fair stronger basis. The addition of Lewis Hamilton to the workforce 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 towards the highest groups.
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