We shoud say this in a low voice because we can easily be proven wrong already in Hungary, but the clear feeling is that Ferrari has put all the pieces of the puzzle in place during the last few races, finally arriving at that “understanding” of the car for a long time pursued and sought after.
“We have to understand, because after all it is a question of understanding” – was the slogan between serious and facetious that has become a cult in the statements of this limping Ferrari of the last two years, a bit lost in the midfield battles and far too far from the top.
Yet it seems that Maranello, keeping to its idea and working precisely on understanding the car, is finally seeing concrete results on the track. In fact, it should be remembered that the SF21 which came close to winning at Silverstone, and which had also defended itself well in the two races in Austria, is in fact the same car from the debut and the same as from the disappointing Paul Ricard race.
It is therefore not a question of having brought new and amazing parts to the car, of having updated it, of evo packages or technical miracles; the Maranello technicians have simply found the key to the problem, starting to maximize the technical potential available, to make the car perform at its best, without inexplicable issues. Tires, set-up, driveability. The SF21 car performs well on track, also regarding cornering, with the degradation of the compounds and balance. Data analysis has now become a support tool and no longer an indecipherable oracle. Now there would seem to be complete correlation between the virtual data processed in the simulator and in the factory and those of the track, no longer the age-old problem of a discrepancy that created technical confusion and resulted in mixed performance.
All this represents the great step forward for the Scuderia Ferrari, after troubled years. It is also above all the element that bodes well in view of the revolutionary rule change for the 2022 Formula 1 season. Because Maranello is proving that it has the skills to make its car go fast. However, the last step remains to be tackled, which is to design a competitive car starting from the famous blank sheet.
For now, all that remains is to “enjoy” this historic-flavored challenge with McLaren for the place in the Constructors’ standings just behind the top of the class. For now, Ferrari is fourth force tending to become third, it does not seem to have the pure speed of McLaren yet, but it has ideas and days with peaks that Woking does not reach, as if “potentially” the Italian side had what it takes to stay ahead.
Peaks of performance reached above all by Charles Leclerc, who when manages to be on top of his game really shows that he has something more than many others. Charles thrills us with his driving, runs to the attack, is hungry and “attached to the shirt”. At times he resembles Gilles Villeneuve, but we don’t want to end up remembering him as the new Jean Alesi.
Because so much generosity and self-denial must be followed by results, victories, joys. Those that the much loved Jean missed. And this does not depend on the driver, but on the team. Such a crystalline talent must be given a winning car or in any case able to compete for the top positions.
The rest will be done by the driver, as also seen at Silverstone, where Charles Leclerc touched upon a feat that would have been historic. And the hands on the helmet for the missed opportunity in the 2021 British GP, the regret, and the strangled scream at the end of the race say a lot, more than a thousand words. Charles wants to win with Ferrari, but if that is not possible he will still do everything to win in Formula 1, even elsewhere. For now, after a searing defeat, the Monegasque has had the tact and elegance to compliment his team for the work done – this is style! – but it’s up to Ferrari to keep it tight for the future and there is only one premise: to build a great car from 2022.
Leave a Reply