Ferrari intention to dethrone McLaren this season and safe their first constructors’ championship since 2008. With Lewis Hamilton becoming a member of Charles Leclerc, they arguably have the strongest driver pairing on the grid.
Fred Vasseur’s staff completed simply 14 factors behind McLaren in final 12 months’s standings, a margin equal to solely 0.12% of the overall factors accessible all through the season. Inevitably, Vasseur will replicate on the moments that price his staff the title, together with 4 DNFs, certainly one of which was a double retirement on the Canadian Grand Prix.
Crimson Bull initially appeared on observe for an additional dominant season, successful 4 of the primary 5 races with three one-two finishes. Nonetheless, when their efficiency dipped, it was McLaren—not Ferrari—who capitalized.
Christian Horner has advised that McLaren’s rise was not totally honest, implying they didn’t absolutely adjust to rules. Following the Azerbaijan GP in September, they have been compelled to change their ‘mini DRS’ rear-wing design after rivals, each publicly and privately, labeled it unlawful.
Ferrari have been much less outspoken than Crimson Bull of their complaints, permitting Frederic Vasseur to keep up a very good relationship with McLaren CEO Zak Brown. Nonetheless, this doesn’t imply Ferrari are totally glad with the FIA’s dealing with of the scenario.
Ferrari sad with FIA’s new flexi-wing guidelines
In Might, the FIA will implement a brand new technical directive to tighten rules on front-wing flexibility, aiming to eradicate extreme motion that gives an aerodynamic benefit.
In keeping with The Race, Ferrari and Crimson Bull have been well-prepared for these adjustments however usually are not totally glad with how the scenario has unfolded. They query why the FIA didn’t take comparable motion final season.
Each groups pushed for elevated scrutiny over the summer time break, and there have been discussions a couple of crackdown ranging from the Singapore GP. Nonetheless, for unspecified causes, this by no means materialized. McLaren, perceived as the first beneficiary of the loophole, might have gained a bonus within the remaining quarter of 2024 and will nonetheless retain it in early 2025.
Hamilton might wrestle with one side of being a Ferrari driver
The aggressive order in 2025 might shift considerably as soon as the brand new directive takes impact, however groups nonetheless have time to adapt.
Hamilton has an out of doors likelihood of securing his eighth world title this season. Ferrari are anticipated to be contenders, however Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc could also be in a stronger place. The Dutchman stays unbeaten because the finish of 2020, Lando Norris might have the quickest automotive, and the Monegasque is already deeply built-in into the Ferrari staff. Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde believes Hamilton might enhance his qualifying performances by analyzing his new teammate.
One journalist has advised that the British driver might not benefit from the distinctive media scrutiny that comes with driving for Ferrari. Nonetheless, as the game’s greatest star, he’s already nicely accustomed to dealing with such consideration.