Ferrari case: what went wrong for Maranello team in 2024 F1 season?
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With just a few days since the end of the 2024 season, we reflect on Scuderia Ferrari’s mistakes and what prevented them from winning the Constructors’ Championship.
Though the gap was narrow, 2024 was not the year Ferrari had hoped for. The Maranello team finished 14 points behind McLaren, the Constructors’ Champion. It was not an easy victory for the “Papaya team,” but it still left Ferrari fans with a bitter taste. Over the past eighteen months, Ferrari has made significant progress, keeping the possibility of victory alive until the very end.
Ferrari was the only team to prevent Red Bull from dominating in 2023, thanks to Carlos Sainz’s pole position in Singapore. However, the stark contrast between Ferrari’s one-lap pace and its race performance left the team uncertain about its competitiveness for the following season. Not to mention the persistent tire overheating issues.
A Bittersweet Season
Ferrari’s 2024 performance was a pleasant surprise from the start, although still trailing Red Bull in terms of pace. However, the Maranello team could never have predicted that their primary concern wouldn't be Red Bull but McLaren. McLaren made a significant leap forward starting in May, with the Miami Grand Prix. From that point, McLaren quickly overtook Ferrari in the Constructors’ standings. Despite Ferrari’s late attempt at a comeback, several key moments prevented them from closing the gap.
Among these setbacks, the first double retirement of the season during a disastrous weekend in Canada stands out. Both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were eliminated in Q2, forced to start from 11th and 12th on the grid. Ferrari was determined to recover, but a new floor introduced at the Spanish Grand Prix not only hurt the car’s performance but also delayed the development program. Additionally, races in Baku and Singapore cost Ferrari valuable points.
In Azerbaijan, Charles Leclerc lost the victory to an impeccable Oscar Piastri, while Carlos Sainz crashed into the wall after a collision with Sergio Perez. Singapore also proved unfavorable for the Prancing Horse. Despite arriving with solid prospects for victory, those hopes quickly faded after a disappointing qualifying session. Still, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz managed solid races to minimize damage, finishing fifth and seventh, respectively. However, the significant gap to the winner, Lando Norris, left Ferrari unable to capitalize fully.
In a year that didn't go as planned, hopes now turn to the next season. Could 2025 finally be the year for the Italian team?
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