Ferrari, the Constructors’ Championship remains an illusion as Frédéric Vasseur analyzes what prevented victory in F1 this year. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix crowns McLaren as champions after a race full of surprises. Despite the two SF-24s fighting and hoping until the end, even Charles Leclerc’s incredible comeback wasn’t enough to secure the points needed for the title. It’s a disappointment, but only a partial one.
The mood in the Ferrari garage at Yas Marina was mixed. There was satisfaction with an almost unexpected double podium, disappointment at a Constructors’ title that turned into a shattered dream in a matter of moments, and melancholy over Carlos Sainz’s farewell—or perhaps a temporary goodbye—after four years as a dedicated Ferrari driver.
Deep down, the team in red knows success this year could have been within reach. Frédéric Vasseur is aware of this and doesn’t hide behind second place: Ferrari is expected to achieve more. Yet, given the outlook in January or February, ending the season competing for a championship is a significant milestone. Learning, improving, and focusing immediately on 2025 are now the priorities.
Ferrari’s “Lost Points” in 2024: Fred Vasseur’s analysis
At the end of the race, Frédéric Vasseur spoke with journalists, including F1inGenerale correspondents, about the season’s outcome: “I wouldn’t want to list the [lost points]. In Canada, on paper, we should have been fast, but we came away with a double zero. Then there were three or four races where we struggled due to an upgrade. We lost between 80 and 90 points to McLaren during that period.”
He continued, “Then there were weekends like Baku, where we could have done better than second place with Charles. Singapore was also tough, where we qualified ninth and tenth. But this is true for McLaren as well. If you analyze their season, you’ll find many lost points too. My job must also be to minimize these losses.”
Was a general lack of pace what slowed Ferrari down? The team principal was clear: “Of course, it would be better to be two-tenths faster per lap. But I think, from track to track, we have about the same number of wins as McLaren. They were a bit faster in qualifying, while we were probably stronger in race pace, but it was always a tight duel. It’s a matter of circumstances.”
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