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 remaining 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 group principal Frederic Vasseur believes the group made progress this season however has avoided revealing the place they misplaced the crucial 14 factors.
The French supervisor has “a lot of ideas” on the place Ferrari misplaced the championship. Ferrari confirmed sturdy efficiency on quite a lot 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 Purple Bull, who had led the Constructors’ Championship early within the season earlier than fading.
Unreliability in the course of the remaining spherical of the season barely hindered Ferrari, and Fred Vasseur would have been upset by the misplaced factors at such an important time. The group additionally suffered a double non-finish in Canada, marking a disastrous weekend the place essentially the most priceless factors had been misplaced. Fred Vasseur famous that the Maranello group didn’t make sufficient enhancements in comparison with final yr, regardless of taking the title struggle to the ultimate spherical: “A great [step], however not sufficient. When you examine with one yr in the past, it’s an enormous step ahead, and every part is nice; we did a superb [season] by way of pitstop, technique, reliability – we improved in all places by way of pure efficiency.” – the Ferrari group boss defined – “On the finish, 14 factors are lacking and I believe in case you are 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 have now to do a greater job subsequent yr. But in addition fairly pleased with the step that we did. McLaren additionally had some points, and it’s simply that we have now to do a greater job subsequent yr. 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 an important function in Ferrari’s efficiency. Whereas the group confirmed spectacular pace at key races, akin to Monaco and america Grand Prix, McLaren proved to have a sooner automotive general in the course of the yr.
The Constructors’ Champions demonstrated distinctive tempo, notably in the course of the mid-season, however Ferrari’s automotive was notably extra unpredictable, with peak efficiency at particular races fairly 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 sturdy displaying, mentioning that whereas the group’s efficiency was spectacular, it might be essential for them to start out the 2025 season with an excellent stronger basis. The addition of Lewis Hamilton to the group 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 in opposition to the highest groups.
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