Are Ferrari Genuine Title Contenders Following Charles Leclerc’s Monaco Triumph?. Leclerc's triumph in his hometown was not just another race win; it was a statement of intent.

Over the last two years, Formula One fans have become accustomed to one thing: Max Verstappen’s dominance. The Flying Dutchman has romped to glory in each of the last two campaigns, with his success last term being the most one-sided in the history of the sport. The 26-year-old stormed to his third straight title with ease, winning all but three races and finishing with twice as many points as second-place man Sergio Pérez.

This term, it looked as though things would go the same way. Verstappen won four of the first five races and assumed another commanding lead at the top of the championship standings. However, Lando Norris managed to legitimately beat him for pace in Miami, before Charles Leclerc took an emotional victory around the Monte Carlo streets he grew up on. But has that win catapulted him and his Ferrari team into genuine contenders?

A Historic Win in Monaco

While the Monaco victory was certainly popular with fans up and down the paddock, it has done little to alter the bookies’ expectations for the 2024 season. The latest Formula 1 betting odds still have Verstappen as a massive 1.07 favourite to claim his fourth straight title this term. But those same odds makers have slashed prices on the Monégasque man, claiming his maiden championship down to 8.45. And if he can continue in the type of form that saw him leave Monaco victorious, then those odds could shorten further in the coming weeks.

Leclerc’s triumph in his hometown was not just another race win; it was a statement of intent. The 26-year-old has been plagued by misfortune at his home Grand Prix – with many dubbing it more than just that, going as far as calling it a curse. Three times he has qualified on pole without walking away with the victory, while crashing out on his Ferrari Monaco debut certainly did little to dispel the naysayers. However, Leclerc executed a near-flawless race, managing an early red flag and making his hard tires last the duration to walk away victorious, the first for a Monégasque driver at Monaco since Louis Chiron in 1931.

Now, he will be aiming to build on that success in Canada.

Che emozione! 🥹

Pure Italian passion as Charles crossed the line as a home race winner 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/GEVbaaqEGI

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 30, 2024

2024 Evolution

Ferrari’s 2024 challenger, the SF24, is a significant improvement from the cars that have struggled in recent years. Under the technical leadership of Enrico Cardile and new team principal Frederic Vasseur, the car boasts several key innovations that have reduced drag while improving downforce. That was crucial to the success in Monaco, but now, stress will be placed on the powertrain with back-to-back races on circuits with high-speed straights in Montreal and Baku.

Consistency is Key

One race win does not make a season. For the Sucdera to be considered a genuine title contender, consistency is paramount. The early signs are promising; Leclerc and his teammate Carlos Sainz have regularly been in the mix for podiums and points. However, the challenge will be maintaining this level of performance and taking the fight to Verstappen’s Red Bull. McLaren has shown that they can do that, as now have the Maranello outfit, but can they do it up until November and the curtain call in Abu Dhabi?

The Road Ahead

Ferrari’s resurgence in 2024 is a breath of fresh air for the Tifosi who have longed to see their team back at the top. Leclerc showed signs of that in 2022, and his Monaco win has certainly reignited hope, but the journey is far from over. The next few races will be critical in determining whether Ferrari can sustain this momentum.

If they cannot, then expectations will turn to next season and the arrival of a certain Lewis Hamilton. But for now, all hope rests on the shoulders of Leclerc.