Carlo Vanzini, commentator and pundit for Sky Sport F1, conducted a comprehensive analysis of all the teams in the latest issue of Autosprint, focusing on the 2024 perspective, “highlighting assets and vulnerabilities.”
Carlo Vanzini’s Analysis
“While awaiting the unveiling of the 2024 cars and liveries, let’s perform a team-by-team checkup for all participants in the upcoming Formula 1 World Championship, highlighting assets and vulnerabilities.”
“With just a few days left until the first unveilings, three days of testing, and, most importantly, the first race (on Saturday, March 2), let’s assess the health status of the teams gearing up for the 75th edition of the Formula 1 World Championship, following the (at least the early) order of the 2023 Constructors’ standings.”
Red Bull
“The most relaxed and pumped. Amid Max’s more or less dated comments against the Sprints, the closed park, windmills, etc., he, too, in a recent sim race live, showed impatience with the Dutch anthem, almost tired of hearing the same music but ready to play it again.”
“Marko, confirmed by Max despite being in the limelight, would have been more concerned if they had passed the crash tests immediately; no news on that front. As of today, Pérez is missing; his only post relates to a protein company helping him train, and he will need plenty, but not just that.”
“They are confident in their superiority, convinced they have a wide margin over the competition and the best driver in the bunch. The Mexican’s situation is a cause for concern; he will start the season as a super special observation, under examination, with a lot of pressure and an expiring contract.”
Mercedes
“In some ways, it’s the most anticipated. It has failed for two consecutive seasons, after seven years of dominance, adopting a car philosophy that proved to be a failure but defended enough to present it more or less the same last February.”
“Hamilton got hives, and Technical Director Mike Elliott paid the price. James Allison is a guarantee, and there is great confidence, even if the innovations introduced last season didn’t always work as expected.”
“There is curiosity to see the shape of the W15. The drivers have two years left on their contracts, so they are calm; then the mood will depend a lot on the performances.”
Ferrari
“Silence and work, work and silence. This is the recipe for a team that will present itself much, much more low-profile on February 13 than on Valentine’s Day a year ago. No one speaks (officially); those who do show optimism but with caution. The start of 2023 was too scorching, and the smell of failure compared to promises is still in the air. The upward finish is encouraging, the team that perhaps, after Red Bull, has gathered more certainties and performances. The goal can only be to contend for the championship; if it were called Prinz, it would be different, but being Ferrari makes it a mandatory goal.” – the Italian journalist explained.
“On paper, it’s an impossible mission, and the bar is set on improvement and refinement. Then the early races will tell us where they can be found, and therefore, to which phrase to appeal: come on, it’s the good year, or we’ll win next year.”
“Fred Vasseur is an excellent helmsman, the renewals of the two drivers are still pending today, or at least they are still, but everything is under control. Beyond being Ferrari and, therefore, compelled to win, the minimum goal is to be a stable second force,” wrote the journalist.
McLaren
“Here it could be said that, given the leap forward in 2023, they are the natural contenders for the title. But in the last races, they have not shown consistent growth, rather a bit inconsistent. They are certainly the ones with more certainties, having a project more to refine than Mercedes and Ferrari, but it could also be a double-edged sword if they plateau.”
“All to discover, like the rivalry between the two drivers, which, for now, in the first year, has stayed within the bounds of sportsmanship but potentially explosive. Norris feels the call of the Red Bull sirens, and the team may not appreciate the mutual courtship between the parties. Also, to manage is the insertion of Sanchez and Marshall into a system that Stella seems to have already well-oiled. Quiet, do not stir.”
Aston Martin – AlphaTauri
“They are the biggest uncertainties for better or for worse because there is, for various reasons, very high expectations on both.”
“AlphaTauri with the new leader Mekies seems to want to spread its wings. Meanwhile, the name, pending official confirmation, will change to Racing Bulls, quite aggressive, and the performances and synergy, with the bigger Bulls, could lead the Faenza teams to be a significant reality.”
“We’ll see, as well as what Aston will be on the track.” – the Italian journalist concluded.
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