In just about one week, Scuderia Ferrari will arrive at the 15th round of the 2024 Formula 1 championship in the Netherlands, at the revamped 4.259-kilometre Circuit Zandvoort, a track that has never brought great satisfaction to the Maranello team since its return to the calendar. The Prancing Horse is now called to reverse a very negative trend that began right after the season’s high point, the Monaco Grand Prix, where hometown hero Charles Leclerc finally triumphed in front of his home fans, while Carlos Sainz completed a great Sunday afternoon for the Italian side with a third place finish. Until that moment, the SF-24 car had shown the expected potential on track, and the performance of Red Bull, which was decidedly less “stratospheric” than in the recent past, suggested a very competitive 2024 Formula 1 campaign ahead.
However, the development of the 676 project suffered a significant setback with the release of the second major aerodynamic update package of the season. From the Spanish Grand Prix to the Silverstone weekend, during the “triple header,” the aerodynamic package introduced at the Circuit de Catalunya was shelved, as the search of the Maranello engineers for greater aerodynamic load led to the return of the troublesome “bouncing” phenomenon. Despite this setback, Ferrari emphasizes the improvements over the previous season, a comparison that is inappropriate given the difficulties that accompanied the design of the SF-23 single-seater and its subsequent development.
For Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, the drop in performance of the SF-24 was a hard blow, absorbed differently depending on their temperament and future prospects. The situation was explained by the team principal of the Prancing Horse himself. According to Frederic Vasseur, the performance decline of the red car was a tough hit not only for the drivers but for the entire team. After the triumph on the streets of Monte Carlo in the Monaco Grand Prix, the following races were very disappointing. Probably, some adverse circumstances worsened the overall performance of the all-red Formula 1 car.
The French manager does not hide the frustration felt by Charles Leclerc, whose level of expectation increased after his first home victory. Frederic Vasseur notes that Ferrari’s progress in the championship is typical of very balanced seasons, where multiple teams are capable of winning: “It’s the life of a team, with its ups and downs.” However, these roller coasters can disorient technicians and drivers, and Charles Leclerc has long hoped to be able to exploit his talent with a competitive car for the entire season. Frederic Vasseur’s deep knowledge of the Monegasque champion helps maintain a productive relationship:
“We have ongoing discussions with Charles. He knows our situation, what we do well, and what we’ve done wrong, and he knows that sometimes he’s made mistakes. But we’re not in a position to look for someone to blame. We’ve been working together for years, we know each other perfectly, and we know we just need to fix things. We’re absolutely not in a situation of pointing fingers. It’s also where having a personal relationship is beneficial.” In these comments from the Ferrari team principal, one of his core beliefs is evident: the bouncing of responsibilities is not allowed.
Everyone must give their best without fear of being blamed in case of failure. The situation is quite different for Carlos Sainz. The Spanish driver will leave the Maranello team at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 championship after four years at the wheel of the red cars. The way Carlos Sainz was essentially “let go” by the Italian side could have triggered a different emotional reaction, but the Spanish driver has approached the current season with extreme professionalism. The first part of the F1 campaign was a showcase for Carlos Sainz to demonstrate his abilities and secure his future in the top tier of motorsport.
The approach to 2024 as an “outgoing member” has impressed Ferrari’s team principal, who highlighted the Spanish driver’s ability to be as competitive as his Maranello teammate, a crucial factor in being able to fight for the constructors’ championship: “One of Carlos’ qualities is his strong mentality and great consistency,” says Fred Vasseur. “There are only two difficult races I’ve seen for him in the last 36. He is extremely consistent, always there. He is very dedicated, very focused, and has a good understanding of the car.”
Beyond the praise for the son of the two-time World Rally Champion, the head of the Ferrari sports management also hints that, at least in words, Ferrari still feels committed to the fight for the Formula 1 constructors’ championship this year. We will soon find out if this is a hope based on solid certainties or simply a case of sunstroke in this scorching European summer.
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