Expressing a judgment in Method 1 is a really complicated train. Sadly Ferrari misplaced once more in 2024, McLaren gained, and so did Max Verstappen. Over the previous weeks, we evaluated the assorted drivers regarding their performances all through the not too long ago concluded season. Equally, a number of elements should be thought-about when evaluating groups. Nonetheless, basing the evaluation on “measurable” standards makes the judgment much less tied to the subjective perceptions of the author, irrespective of how goal these could also be. We thus thought-about 5 rationales for assessing the season of the ten groups, conscious that there could be different equally vital elements not examined as a result of they lack clear proof. As we’ll see within the abstract, the ultimate analysis, by assigning scores for every criterion, aligns carefully with the ultimate standings of the constructors’ championship.
F1, fundamental technical mission: Ferrari has an excellent basis
Within the first part, we assessed the baseline specs of the automobiles at the beginning of the previous marketing campaign. There isn’t any doubt that Pink Bull arrived on the beginning line with a automobile that was simply as dominant because it had been on the finish of the 2023 season. Absolutely the worth of the RB20 within the early phases of the season was demonstrated by Sergio Perez, who completed second in three of the primary 4 rounds. The strongest various to the Austrian workforce was Scuderia Ferrari, due to Carlos Sainz’s victory in Australia and constant efficiency.
The McLaren MCL38, earlier than the Chinese language Grand Prix, didn’t appear able to troubling Pink Bull, regardless that its baseline seemed to be glorious. Mercedes appeared a step behind its opponents, main the midfield however removed from difficult its direct rivals. From the Bahrain exams, it was clear that the Aston Martin AMR24 was a shadow of its glorious predecessor, and for Fernando Alonso, the podiums of 2023 can be arduous to duplicate. It was whole darkness for Alpine and Sauber, in addition to for Williams.
F1 2024: Growth effectiveness: Ferrari stumbles in Spain
Though not a strictly “measurable” criterion, the title of “most improved workforce” undoubtedly goes to McLaren. From Imola onward, the papaya-colored automobile was, on common, essentially the most aggressive within the area. This success was on account of a growth plan that unlocked the big potential of the Woking automobile. The precise reverse occurred at Pink Bull. The RB20 immediately appeared like a automobile with no growth margin, having reached the physiological restrict of the aerodynamic paradigm refined since 2022. The automobile’s growth did not preserve tempo with the competitors.
The height in Qatar is the hope Milton Keynes engineers cling to for 2025. For Ferrari, the event of the SF-24 stays the nice remorse but additionally a superb demonstration of the power of the workforce led by Frederic Vasseur. The technical mission 676 began with out vital flaws; nonetheless, the automobile’s improve path was abruptly halted by the failed replace launched on the Spanish Grand Prix. The Iberian spherical was the primary in one of many season’s “triple headers.”
This difficulty finally prevented the engineers of the historic Italian workforce from rapidly understanding the correlation downside between the digital setting and on-track efficiency. The Italian workforce deserves credit score for not panicking, beginning once more from a degree of consistency, and redeveloping the Ferrari SF-24. The outcome was admirable. After a few years, the Modena-based workforce continued growing the automobile and step by step improved the efficiency of the 676 technical mission till the tip of its lifecycle.
As for Mercedes, regardless of the 4 victories obtained throughout the season—due to favorable circumstances, as was the case in Austria, and chilly weather conditions by which the Silver Arrows had been undoubtedly one of the best automobiles on the observe—the sensation is that Toto Wolff’s workforce nonetheless has not discovered learn how to make a “wing automobile” work throughout a broader vary of circumstances. Noteworthy is the work carried out by Alpine, a workforce that was virtually in the back of the grid at the beginning of the season. Due to updates designed for the A525 mission, Gasly and Ocon managed to regain positions within the midfield, topped by a double podium within the rain-soaked Brazilian Grand Prix.
F1 2024, reliability: Ferrari nonetheless falters
Relating to the criterion associated to reliability, it thought-about the variety of homologated energy unit parts throughout the season, grid penalties on account of exceeding the regulatory limits on elements, and race retirements brought on by technical points. By way of reliability, McLaren was the undisputed chief. Regardless of an prolonged calendar, the Woking automobiles by no means retired, with Norris nonetheless categorised within the Austrian Grand Prix regardless of the damaging collision with Max Verstappen.
McLaren and Aston Martin had been the one groups not requiring any homologation of energy unit elements exceeding the prescribed limits. A lot credit score goes to Mercedes for producing essentially the most dependable engine within the area. The Pink Bull Powertrains unit confirmed some points with the inner combustion engine, forcing the world champion to homologate six inside combustion models. For Ferrari, the Achilles’ heel was undoubtedly the power retailer, affecting each the manufacturing facility workforce and its buyer groups.
Lastly, Alpine struggled once more this 12 months with technical points on the Renault energy unit, regardless of regulatory continuity. The 2025 season will mark the swan track for the French engine, which can be changed by the Mercedes energy unit. A clarification is required concerning Williams’ information: the variety of energy unit elements exceeding the regulatory cap and the grid penalties had been primarily on account of extreme crashes brought on by Sargeant, Albon, and Colapinto, which compelled the workforce to homologate new elements and rebuild solely destroyed automobiles.
This criterion additionally assessed not simply the drivers’ on-track administration but additionally the flexibility to deal with contractual complexities throughout a season marked by a energetic driver market. Regardless of profitable the constructors’ title unexpectedly earlier than the season started, McLaren‘s driver administration fell brief for a workforce with the potential to help Norris’s championship dream. Lando’s errors, typically stemming from the psychological battle with Verstappen, and the liberty granted to the drivers till the Monza Grand Prix had been questionable.
Making certain equal therapy for so long as doable is comprehensible. Nonetheless, in some cases, the method by Stella’s workforce seemed to be a sporting suicide. Conversely, Vasseur skillfully managed inside rivalry between the 2 drivers, considered one of whom was sidelined simply earlier than the season began. There was nice maturity from everybody, together with Leclerc, who navigated his relationship along with his teammate, mending rifts that arose throughout sure races (Las Vegas specifically). At Pink Bull, driver administration was poor on account of retaining a driver who was not performing.
Perez was overshadowed by Max, and his performances can’t be justified by the automobile’s technical decline. For the primary time in its historical past, Pink Bull appeared beholden to a driver, with a contract that protected him till the season’s finish. Jakobi, Checo’s long-time supervisor, held the workforce in examine, possible stopping a straightforward dismissal of the motive force as rumored earlier than the summer season break. The identical applies to Ricciardo, who was most likely given extra time than warranted, taking precious kilometers away from Liam Lawson. Mercedes additionally excelled in driver administration, regardless of Sir Lewis Hamilton’s sudden “betrayal.”
Although doubts surrounded some lackluster performances, Hamilton remained largely composed in 2024. The scenario at Williams was far more complicated. After parting methods with Sargeant belatedly, the workforce introduced in Colapinto, who confirmed pace and pure aggression. Nonetheless, his occasional reckless errors worsened the workforce’s monetary scenario. He was quick, challenged Albon, and appealed to a broad market. Nonetheless, he’ll sit out 2025 as his seat has already been handed to Carlos Sainz.
By way of pit stops, Ferrari is on the rostrum in tire modifications. This rating was the best to assign, referencing the season’s DHL abstract rankings. As soon as once more, the highest groups dominated this particular rating, notably Pink Bull. One of many positives for Milton Keynes this season was their on-track work, not solely in pit stops, which highlighted the mechanics’ talent, but additionally as a strategic weapon that the workforce used to compensate for the automobile’s evident shortcomings in numerous circumstances.
McLaren and Ferrari accomplished the rostrum, highlighting the general progress of each groups, together with in on-track operations.
— see video above —
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
