Ferrari is true rival to McLaren for F1 Constructors' Championship: Maranello team can no longer hide
Today at 01:43 PM
At the end of the 2024 Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix, Ferrari overtook Red Bull in the constructors’ standings. Now, even the numbers point to the Italian side as McLaren’s primary challenger, confirming what has been apparent on track since the Italian Grand Prix at the beginning of September. In just two weekends, Ferrari has scored ninety-six points compared to McLaren's fifty, reducing the gap between the two teams to twenty-nine points. The Maranello team can no longer hide, even if tam principal Frederic Vasseur would prefer the spotlight to remain on the Max Verstappen – Lando Norris rivalry; Ferrari will compete for the Constructors’ Championship.
It won't be easy, as this is also very clear. Technically, McLaren remains a tough opponent with a car that can handle every type of track and condition, but the technical balance that has taken shape since the summer break has created a scenario where the complete package makes the difference. The results achieved by Ferrari between the United States Grand Prix in Austin and the Mexico City Grand Prix are not due to a dominant car but rather an aerodynamic package that has worked to perfection.
During last Saturday’s qualifying session, McLaren's Lando Norris likely had the fastest car, but Carlos Sainz put it all together, setting the stage for his victory twenty-four hours later at the 4.304-kilometre Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. The same happened at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas one week ago, where Charles Leclerc's textbook start (along with the now habitual skirmishes between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris) created the perfect conditions to dominate the race. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed that the Maranello team now had much better control over various situations compared to the beginning of the 2024 Formula 1 season, noting improvements in pit stops and strategies. The French manager acknowledged that while a strong pace from the car made everything easier, the team had performed well overall during the Mexican weekend.
Reflecting on the Singapore Grand Prix, the Scuderia's team principal recalled feeling frustrated on the flight back, sensing they had left valuable opportunities on the table. He felt there had been potential to compete for pole position, and starting from the front could have changed the outcome. However, he also pointed out that aiming high required both a competitive car and effective weekend management.
In Mexico City, Ferrari left four points on the table in its direct confrontation with McLaren, important points that would have been gained if Charles Leclerc hadn't made an error at the end of the race exiting the Peraltada. Frederic Vasseur didn't take well the behavior of some lapped drivers, which cost the Monegasque several seconds during the part of the Mexican Grand Prix when Lando Norris was just four seconds behind the Ferrari man.
Frederic Vasseur noted that while an unlucky lapping can occur, spending five corners behind a driver who sees blue flags is not simply bad luck but rather an error on the part of the driver failing to give way. He explained that Charles Leclerc lost both time and, more critically, tire temperature in that phase, which allowed Lando Norris to close the gap.
Everything can make a difference. Ferrari right now has a good car but also two drivers who, in terms of contribution to the team, are undoubtedly the most in-form pair, and the close contest between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris might also work in the Scuderia's favor in the Constructors’ Championship battle. Frederic Vasseur doesn't want to leave anything to chance; Ferrari will head to São Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix and Las Vegas with the awareness of contending for a the race victory and even the challenging Qatar circuit is not to be used as an excuse.
The Ferrari team principal acknowledged that, on paper, the Losail circuit was not the best fit for their car; however, he noted that predictions in Mexico had similarly not expected them to contend for pole position. The French manager believed that everything remained open and emphasized that performing well across the entire weekend would be even more critical in Qatar. Although uncertain whether they would compete for first, third, or fifth place, he stressed the importance of doing their utmost to achieve the best possible result in that weekend as well.
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