With the backdrop of Milan’s Sforza Castle, one of Italy’s symbols worldwide, thousands of Ferrari fans sing the Mameli anthem along with the hometown hero Charles Leclerc and the new gem, Lewis Hamilton. On one side, Charles sings with the fans; on the other, Lewis, with teary eyes, keeps looking at the supporters while his perfectly integrated teammate helps him with the Italian language.
Formula 1 purists know that the moment of the Mameli anthem is sacred. Unlike in football (where national anthems precede a match), in the pinnacle of motorsport, the anthem plays only after securing a victory.
But are Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari already ready to win the drivers’ and constructors’ championship?
(Also) for this reason, the atmosphere in the streets of Milan feels like the celebration of a great triumph. A real victory parade is missing, yet the air smells of glory. Of course, we are talking about Ferrari, the most successful team ever, which has just welcomed to Maranello the most victorious driver in Formula 1 history. On paper, the perfect combination.
And yet, based on facts and what was seen in testing, Ferrari left Bahrain still a step behind McLaren. It is true that the Sakhir circuit is not very indicative, especially with an unusual climate, but historically, Ferrari has always performed well there.
One of the key aspects of the season will undoubtedly be the directive on flexible wings, where Ferrari has already conducted tests in Bahrain, as well as mastering the new front suspension, which also presents some disadvantages.
Ferrari between past, present, and future
Perhaps for this reason, there is something strange within the red crowd in Milan, something that seems to split it in half. The faces present are, for the most part, young. Many of them likely have no clear memories of a world championship victory, considering that the last Ferrari triumph dates back to 2008.
On the other hand, there are those who keep waiting, letting the promise “This will be the right season” continue to deceive them for 17 long years. Imagination and expectation, curiosity and hope, all under the banner of passion and one color: red. Think about it for a moment—how would you react if Ferrari were to come up empty-handed once again?
Now, Ferrari is more than ever forced to win. The (self-)celebration of the strongest driver with the strongest team is the cherry on top of a nearly century-old story. But the risk that it becomes the final straw is very high.
This event, a perfect synthesis of everything that has happened since February 1, 2024, now hangs like a sword of Damocles over the heads of Fred Vasseur, Benedetto Vigna, John Elkann, and all the men at Ferrari. Either they win, or the collapse could be greater than the very history that created it. But let’s hope we’re wrong.
Source: f1ingenerale
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