Ferrari team principal Fréd Vasseur didn’t mince words when discussing the Scuderia’s approach to the Abu Dhabi GP, emphasizing that the team would fight McLaren until the very last corner of the final race. The message was well understood, as Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc pushed hard to beat McLaren in the 2024 season finale at Yas Marina, trying to capitalize on Woking’s missteps—not so much technical faults, but incidents like Oscar Piastri’s crash at the start. Despite their efforts, it wasn’t enough, as the speed of Lando Norris’s surviving McLaren prevented Ferrari from overturning the situation and claiming the championship title.
A promising 2024… for 2025: Mario Andretti’s view
Even though the triumph eluded them, Ferrari can reflect positively on the final race of the year for its resilience and determination. The Scuderia also has reasons to look back on 2024 with pride—for overcoming challenges, for their progress, and for once again battling with other top teams, something that hadn’t been seen in years. This sets the stage for optimism heading into 2025, a year in which Ferrari will aim for a championship assault—a genuine possibility, according to Mario Andretti. In a recent exclusive interview, the 1979 world champion expressed confidence in Fred Vasseur’s team, which he believes is well-positioned for the future. He highlighted that the already competitive SF-24 will serve as a solid foundation for the 2025 car, which will retain the strengths of its predecessor while addressing its weaknesses, potentially making it a title contender. Of course, all of this hinges on proving itself on the track and contending with rivals.
“Ferrari has been very competitive with Sainz and Leclerc. I believe in 2025 the Scuderia will be ready to win: they’ll work on the car, understand what’s needed, and where to intervene. They’ll make progress, as they always do, and I think they’ll be in a position to fight for victory.”
A bittersweet farewell for Carlos Sainz
From next season, Ferrari will likely boast the best driver pairing on the grid: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The arrival of the seven-time world champion is sparking great interest, as many are eager to see what Hamilton can achieve with the team. However, his arrival comes at the cost of Carlos Sainz, whose departure Andretti lamented. The Spaniard consistently demonstrated speed, reliability, and exceptional teamwork.
“Hamilton’s arrival will make everything very exciting. I feel sorry for Sainz—he was sacrificed despite proving he could win and work for the team. But that’s racing. On the other hand, Hamilton has always shown interest in Ferrari, and it will be fascinating to see how things unfold.”
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