Eddie Jordan reveals why Ferrari has been 'shambolic' despite contending for 2024 F1 title against McLaren
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Ferrari has shown significant improvement throughout the season, successfully addressing the challenges they faced with their SF-23 car, which was notably difficult to handle at times last year. The Italian team has regained its competitive edge and is now locked in a fierce battle for their first Constructors' Championship title since 2008, when Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen secured the crown.
As the season nears its conclusion, Ferrari currently occupies second place in the standings, trailing McLaren by 24 points with just two races left. While the gap is not insurmountable, they will need a stroke of luck to close the distance and secure the championship. Gian Carlo Minardi, however, has expressed concerns about Ferrari’s ability to maintain the calm and composure needed to seize the title from McLaren. With Max Verstappen already having clinched his fourth World Championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the final two races will be entirely focused on the Constructors’ Championship battle.
Eddie Jordan, speaking on the *Formula For Success* podcast, has criticized Ferrari for making a series of poor decisions throughout the season, which he believes could ultimately prevent them from securing the title. He described some of their recent performances as “shambolic,” pointing to missed opportunities and tactical blunders that have cost them valuable points.
Despite these setbacks, Ferrari has been one of the most consistent and successful teams this year, securing five race wins and regularly finishing on the podium. However, they have been fortunate to avoid penalties on several occasions, such as when Carlos Sainz escaped punishment for crossing a white line at the pit entry during the Las Vegas Grand Prix. While minor mistakes like these might seem insignificant, they can accumulate over the course of a season and become crucial in a title fight where the margins are razor-thin.
Eddie Jordan emphasized that, in his opinion, only one team principal in recent history has been able to consistently extract the best performances from Ferrari. He believes that the team continues to make unnecessary errors, which ultimately hampers their ability to challenge for the championship in a season where every point is critical.
"I think Luca di Montezemolo was about the only one who could control the team. But consistently, Ferrari have screwed up, haven't they? They screw up with the wrong tyres. They screw up with this. I mean, it's just shambolic from time to time, and we think it's going to improve." – Eddie Jordan pointed out.
Ferrari has long been plagued by costly mistakes in the pit lane, a pattern that stretches back to 1999, when Eddie Irvine lost valuable time due to a lack of decisiveness from the team during the European Grand Prix. These kinds of errors, though seemingly small, have been recurring and have often proved detrimental to the team’s pursuit of success. As Ferrari looks ahead to the 2025 season, it will be crucial for them to eliminate such mistakes and refine their operations to ensure they are fully prepared to capitalize on the potential of their car and driver lineup. With the right adjustments, Ferrari could have a combination capable of fighting for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles.
One of the key factors in Ferrari’s prospects for next season is their driver lineup, which will feature Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton, who is making the switch from Mercedes after a somewhat disappointing conclusion to his storied career with the team, will bring a wealth of experience and competitive spirit to Ferrari. His move marks the end of a chapter with Mercedes, where he had been since 2013, securing numerous championships but ultimately falling short in recent seasons. Now, at Ferrari, Hamilton has a chance to rejuvenate his career and pursue a record-breaking eighth world title.
For Charles Leclerc, the arrival of the British driver could understandably be a source of apprehension. The presence of a driver of Lewis Hamilton’s caliber might create internal competition, but both drivers should be more than capable of competing for victories and pushing each other to excel. The team, at least initially, will not have a clear number one driver, which could foster a more balanced and harmonious environment, particularly in the early stages of the season. This setup could be advantageous, as it would allow both drivers to focus on performing to the best of their abilities without the pressure of having to defer to a single dominant figure within the team.
However, the situation is not without its time constraints. Lewis Hamilton will be 40 by the time the 2025 season begins, and his tenure at Ferrari is unlikely to extend far beyond that. The Italian team will need to act quickly, capitalizing on the veteran’s experience while also fostering a competitive atmosphere for Charles Leclerc to flourish. If Ferrari wants to make the most of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion’s final years at the peak of his career, they must ensure the car is tailored to his needs, especially in terms of rear-end stability, which has been a key factor in his success over the years. Only by achieving this can Ferrari hope to deliver the kind of results that might allow Hamilton to secure his eighth title and leave a lasting legacy with the Scuderia.
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