It’s been more than 15 years since Ferrari won a constructors’ championship or one of its drivers was crowned world champion. More than 15 years, in short, since the Scuderia has seriously aspired to the top of Formula 1, stuck sometimes behind Mercedes, sometimes behind Red Bull.
It is not necessarily this season that the legendary team will return to its domination of the 2000s. But the signs of a comeback are clear.
Last year, when we landed in Montreal, nothing seemed to be working at Ferrari, sitting fourth in the standings, 177 points (!) behind Red Bull, in the lead.
This time, the gap between the two is only 24 points, with Ferrari in second place. In nine races, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have combined nine podiums, as many as during the entire 2023 season. Each also won an event. Leclerc may not catch Verstappen in the standings. His rise, nevertheless, is evident.
In an individual sport, it is not uncommon to hear athletes talk about their progress. From their gain in skills, maturity, experience…
With one voice, on Thursday, the Monegasque and the Spaniard rather justified their current successes in the simplest way possible: by the car they drive.
“All the drivers are performing at a high level,” Sainz analyzed. The difference is the car. Have the best car on Sunday [jour de course], that’s what makes us look good. »
“As a driver, you can’t make such a big leap like that, unless you drove really badly last year,” added Leclerc. It goes back to the work of our team who, I think, have had a very good approach over the last seven or eight months and have been quick to identify the gaps on the car. »
The 2024 Italian single-seater is thus “more easily maneuverable and faster” than last year. And the results are to match.
Risks
PHOTO CLAUDIA GRECO, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Ferrari CEO Frédéric Vasseur
The 2023 campaign was Frédéric Vasseur’s first as Ferrari CEO, following the resignation of Mattia Binotto.
The French engineer brought a touch of audacity, notes Charles Leclerc.
Under his leadership, “the decisions were often the right ones,” he believes.
An important thing for me is not to be afraid of failing. In the past, we have often been cautious. However, sometimes you have to take risky directions. Today we are reaping the benefits.
Charles Leclerc
Not everything is perfect though. The car still deserves improvement, especially in low-speed corners, illustrated Leclerc. “This is probably the main gap, but it’s not just that,” he insisted. Many small details ultimately make the difference. »
There are also unknowns. The 2024 version of the Ferrari, for example, has not yet been tested in the rain. And as luck would have it, the weather forecast is gloomy throughout the weekend in Montreal.
Rain or not, Charles Leclerc believes his team has what it takes to win the title on a circuit that bears the name of a legend of the team.
To achieve this, the runner wants to “turn the page” on his exhilarating triumph in Monaco two weeks ago.
“My head is only here,” he assured. My approach does not change. I will do everything in my power to achieve the best possible result. »
So far this season, things have gone pretty well for him in this regard. And even if he refuses the label of favorite that his opponents want to put on him, it will be impossible for him, at least for a few more hours, to completely get rid of it.