Ferrari Team Principal Praises Spirit After Title Fight Setbacks - Vasseur
Ferrari's compelling 2024 season ended just 14 points behind McLaren in the constructors' championship, marking significant progress from 2023 despite falling short of their first title since 2008.
Team Principal Fred Vasseur highlighted substantial improvements across all areas, with Ferrari achieving 60% more points and five wins compared to the previous year's single victory. Key developments included better reliability, improved strategy execution, and enhanced pit stop performance.
The pivotal moment came in Canada, where a double DNF proved costly. Charles Leclerc faced reliability issues while Carlos Sainz encountered a race incident, resulting in zero points when McLaren managed to score. This zero-point weekend, combined with a challenging summer period across Spain, UK, and Austria, saw Ferrari lose approximately 80-90 points to McLaren.
Ferrari Formula 1 team members gathered
Vasseur particularly praised the team's response to setbacks, noting a positive cultural shift at Maranello. Instead of internal blame, the team collaborated effectively to overcome challenges, especially during the difficult June-July period. This unified approach to problem-solving demonstrates Ferrari's growing strength as a championship contender.
The narrow margin of defeat - just 14 points over a season where teams typically score 26-27 points per weekend - underscores both Ferrari's competitiveness and the fine margins in Formula 1's four-team battle at the front. Vasseur emphasized that while avoiding reliability issues and crashes remains crucial, the team's collective response to adversity positions them well for future championship campaigns.