Charles Leclerc, with his Ferrari, is unfortunately no longer in contention for the 2024 Formula 1 drivers’ championship. The goal was never really within reach, as the Monegasque, like his Maranello teammate Carlos Sainz, struggled with the SF-24 single-seater during the middle part of the season. This SF-24 car had lost its proper working point due to the floor mounted on the car during the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. From then on, for about three months, the Ferrari car was no longer competitive, and despite the fact that Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz did everything possible to optimize the results in each race weekend, the car’s technical value was not sufficient to challenge the super McLaren MCL38 or even Red Bull, who was clearly on a downward slope.
A disheartening situation, because without this problem, Ferrari could have fought for both Formula 1 world titles this year. Returning to form only in September completely destroyed the Italian team’s ambitions. Fortunately, McLaren and Red Bull did not perform at their best. The Woking team always showed up on track with a competitive car, this is beyond doubt. However, it often made mistakes that prevented it from maximizing performance and, consequently, results. Meanwhile, things were even worse for the Milton Keynes team.
Only Max Verstappen kept the RB20 afloat, which suffered several technical problems and was unable to fight for victory. The Dutchman won the eventful race at the 4.309-kilometre Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in Brazil starting from the back of the grid. A sensational success stemming from the particular track conditions, which the Dutchman fully exploited. It was a triumph after five months during which the three-time Formula 1 world champion watched other drivers stand on the top step of the podium. Reaching the final part of the championship, a triple-header set to take place between Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, Ferrari is still in the hunt for the World Constructors’ Championship.
The duty to believe is evident, as the 36-point gap currently separating the Prancing Horse from the British team allows the Maranello team to nurture this world championship dream. However, to close this gap, they must not make any mistakes starting with the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix. This is clear. In this regard, there is a factor that concerns Charles Leclerc and the entire team. The Monegasque himself mentioned it last week, unprompted. We refer to the state of the homologated power units on car number 16. Suffering a penalty right now would be highly detrimental to their charge toward the title.
Ferrari and Charles Leclerc are therefore studying the work plan for the final part of the 2024 Formula 1 world championship. Every F1 team manages the rotation of power units throughout a season. There is a specific program to make the most of all components without overstressing them. Ferrari, with the Monegasque driver, homologated the last of the four power units allowed by the International Federation before incurring a penalty at the Dutch Grand Prix. Since then, Charles Leclerc’ car has raced six Grands Prix. Within this context, it is worth recalling a fact: a team can homologate components but is obviously free to reuse older ones. This is part of the aforementioned rotation.
Charles Leclerc certainly has not used the power unit introduced at the Zandvoort circuit for six races in a row. However, a quick calculation of the four power units makes it evident that all of the Monegasque’s engine components are quite “aged.” Moreover, doubts remain about the power unit that acted up during the Canadian Grand Prix. The problems stemmed from the hybrid component, about which the Italian team, as is often the case, has not released any information. Therefore, its condition is unknown. On the other hand, Carlos Sainz can smile. His crash in the qualifying session for the Brazilian Grand Prix allowed for the homologation of a fifth Internal Combustion Engine component.
On car number 55, the transmission and other components were also replaced. Max Verstappen paid the penalty in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit for his engine change, but despite starting from 17th position, he ultimately won. A spot-on decision, then. For Charles Leclerc, however, things could go differently if a penalty were to be imposed. Without a doubt, the 6.2-kilometre Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Nevada is a track where overtaking is facilitated by the layout. Thus, if Ferrari knows that it does in fact need to homologate another power unit for Charles Leclerc’s car before the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season, the American circuit would be suitable.
However, even though overtaking maneuvers are easier on the United States circuit, under normal conditions, starting from the back does not guarantee the same chances of victory. This is the dilemma the historic Maranello team must face with one week until the next round of the championship. There is also another important aspect to take into consideration: on a track where the power unit’s effectiveness makes a difference, having a fresh engine provides a performance boost, a condition that Carlos Sainz can now fully exploit, unlike his Maranello teammate. Assuming that a new power unit will indeed need to be homologated on Charles Leclerc’s car, the situation becomes tricky.
Ferrari could compete in the Las Vegas Grand Prix by fitting the best remaining components on car number 16. Doing so would mean giving their all and trying to take the race victory on a track considered favorable based on the layout and the characteristics of the SF-24 single-seater. On the other hand, taking a penalty at the American circuit would be easier to manage compared to Qatar or Abu Dhabi. The Italian side is therefore weighing this decision, bearing in mind that risking competing with components on the car that could fail is undoubtedly a scenario that needs to be avoided at all costs.
A retirement would logically put an end to the dream of winning the World Constructors’ Championship this season. Recovering 36 points on McLaren is already a significant challenge with just three races remaining until the end of the year. The two MCL38 cars of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are flying, and Red Bull is also pushing. Imagine adding to this scenario one of the two Ferrari SF-24 cars unable to score points over a weekend. The picture forming is not favorable for the Maranello team. Losing the chance to fight until the final corner in Abu Dhabi would be devastating in a season already filled with regrets for the technical errors made under the direction of Italian aerodynamicist and former Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile.
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