Ferrari’s 2023 F1 season fell short of championship glory despite a lone Grand Prix win. With Fred Vasseur at the helm and a potent driver lineup, the Scuderia eyes a stronger 2024 challenge. Will the team’s rich history inspire a return to the top, or will they continue chasing the elusive title?
What we’re watching:
- Ferrari’s 2023 performance was a mix of triumph and tribulation, with Carlos Sainz securing their sole victory amidst a challenging season.
- Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will partner for the final time in 2024 before Lewis Hamilton dons the red suit in 2025.
- Team Principal Fred Vasseur faces the task of overcoming tyre wear issues and improving race pace to compete with the dominant Red Bull team.
- Ferrari’s storied history boasts an impressive roster of champions, but recent years have seen a drought in title wins.
- The arrival of Lewis Hamilton in 2025 is a significant coup for Ferrari, signaling their intent to return to championship contention.
Go deeper:
Ferrari’s storied legacy in Formula 1 is undeniable, with a record 16 constructors’ titles to their name. However, recent seasons have seen the Scuderia struggle to convert their historical prowess into modern-day success. In 2023, despite showing flashes of brilliance, Ferrari often found themselves outpaced by Red Bull, and tyre degradation issues frequently hampered their race performance.
The driver lineup for 2024 remains formidable, with Charles Leclerc entering his sixth season with Ferrari and Carlos Sainz providing consistent results. The pair have shown they can win races, but consistency over a season has eluded them. The upcoming season marks the end of their partnership, as F1 legend Lewis Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025, adding another layer of intrigue to the team’s future.
Fred Vasseur, who took over as Team Principal in 2023, has the arduous task of refining the SF-24 to address the shortcomings of its predecessor. The team’s ability to adapt to the Pirelli tyres and extract performance without excessive wear will be critical to their success. Late-season improvements in 2023 offer a glimmer of hope that Ferrari may have turned a corner in understanding their tyre woes.
While the anticipation for Hamilton’s arrival is palpable, the focus for 2024 remains firmly on the present. Leclerc and Sainz are more than capable of challenging for victories, and with strategic and technical advancements, Ferrari could pose a serious threat to their rivals. The team’s qualifying pace has been a highlight, and translating that into race wins is the next step in their quest for championship contention.
Ferrari’s commitment to overcoming their challenges is evident in their aggressive driver signings and technical developments. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on whether the Scuderia can harness their potential and rekindle the championship-winning form that has defined their illustrious history. With the clock ticking, the pressure is on for Ferrari to deliver a car that can compete at the highest level and end their title drought.
