The mood surrounding Ferrari is extremely positive, arguably at its highest point since the Scuderia secured a 1-2 finish to start the 2022 season. After a difficult campaign last year, the Italian outfit has defied expectations with its impressive development. Upgrades to the SF-24 have propelled the team forward, with Charles Leclerc fully confident in the Maranello project.
Over the winter, there were whispers about Ferrari’s potential. In traditional fashion, Ferrari had to deal with tremendous pressure heading into 2024. Initially, it seemed that Red Bull were again going to dominate the Championship.
However, Sainz’s victory in Australia was a reminder that Red Bull and Verstappen can be defeated. McLaren entered the party with victory in Miami, just a few weeks before Charles Leclerc would make a statement of intent on home soil.
LECLERC BELIEVES IN THE FERRARI PROJECT
Speaking after his first win since Austria 2022, the Monegasue showed a clear belief in Ferrari’s potential:
“I have no doubts. I think since the first day he joined, he’s got everything to bring the team back to where it belongs – and that means to a World Championship.
“He’s got such a clear vision of what he wants to achieve and how to achieve it. He doesn’t lose time, and that is definitely his strength and I think his vision is really good. We share it very often, on how he wants to achieve those targets. I’ve always been completely aligned with the way he wants to change things to get to where we want to get.
“I have no doubt that he’s the right person and that he’s helping the team to get there.”
Unlike in previous years, there is a sense that Ferrari has all the ingredients necessary to fight for the Championship. In recent seasons, even when Ferrari’s car was fast enough, operational blunders would prove costly.
Additionally, the Italian outfit has developed something of a reputation for poor mid-season development. In just over a year, Fred Vasseur and Technical Director Enrico Cardile are proving this is not the case. If anything, only McLaren can say they have progressed more quickly than Ferrari in the last twelve months.
With the ninth round of the season just a week away, the factory in Maranello is working to maintain its momentum.
