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 group championship of the century, edging Ferrari out by simply 14 factors.
Charles Leclerc’s race was nothing in need of spectacular, recovering 16 locations to complete strongly, however even his exceptional drive couldn’t tip the scales. The Maranello group’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 expensive, finally making the distinction of their slender title defeat.
Talking to *The Race*, technical skilled Gary Anderson highlighted Ferrari’s technique points as a crucial 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 in regards to the group’s decision-making on race days is important, particularly with Lewis Hamilton set to affix the Scuderia. Gary Anderson warned that ironing out these flaws will likely 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 steered that the group wants to deal with its tendency to take too lengthy to acknowledge when it has pursued the flawed improvement path. He identified that Ferrari’s mid-season hunch was a major consider dropping the 2024 title. He additionally harassed the significance of avoiding technique errors, which have traditionally hindered the group.
Anderson famous that Ferrari appeared to deal with high-pressure conditions in another way from routine ones, which led to expensive errors. He cited the Las Vegas Grand Prix for example, the place errors annoyed each drivers. He emphasised that the technique group ought to at all times deal with making selections based mostly on the instant scenario, whether or not the drivers are competing on the entrance or farther down the sector. Whereas Ferrari has made strides in enhancing 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 group, Gary Anderson asserted that the Maranello group should guarantee it resolves these points to fulfill the calls for of the upcoming season.
Anderson cautioned that Charles Leclerc may face a considerably altered group 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 should not have any recognized animosity between them, Anderson steered that the camaraderie might rapidly evaporate if the 2 discover themselves locked in a fierce championship battle. The rivalry for supremacy throughout the group might pressure their relationship, particularly if each drivers are equally aggressive.
Anderson additionally speculated that Ferrari’s administration may tilt their assist towards Hamilton in 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 increased than Leclerc’s, a disparity that may not sit properly with Leclerc or his group, notably if it ends in perceived favoritism towards the British driver in key selections.
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 crucial moments. He highlighted the Las Vegas Grand Prix as a main instance, the place poor technique selections marred what might have been a stronger efficiency. In line with Anderson, Ferrari should tackle these lingering weaknesses to totally capitalize on their potential and supply a secure 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 selections affecting each drivers, Carlos Sainz instructed the press that the race highlighted the significance of executing all the pieces flawlessly in System 1 on a constant foundation. He acknowledged that whereas the group had typically carried out properly when it comes to technique and race administration all through the season, they fell brief on this explicit event. The Spanish driver emphasised the necessity for Ferrari to be taught 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 among the points stemmed from his personal errors through the race. The group reportedly reviewed his efficiency and identified the place he had contributed to his personal challenges. Moreover, Leclerc’s working relationship along with his race engineer, Bryan Bozzi, may need influenced their potential to make optimum split-second selections, 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 likelihood of contending for each the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. Nonetheless, managing the dynamic between their star drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, will likely be a crucial problem for group principal Frederic Vasseur.
Whereas Pink Bull and Mercedes will possible focus their efforts solely on Max Verstappen and George Russell respectively, Ferrari—like McLaren—might face inner competitors. Balancing the ambitions of two title-contending drivers would require cautious administration to keep away from inner friction.
In line with 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 enduring avenue circuit. Hamilton, a three-time winner in Monaco, brings expertise and precision, whereas Charles Leclerc, after years of heartbreak at his residence race, lastly triumphed there final season, showcasing his distinctive expertise.
Gary Anderson believes the race might function a definitive “showdown” between the 2 drivers, doubtlessly figuring out who the Maranello group will again for the rest of the championship marketing campaign.
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