Ferrari’s 2024 Formula 1 season was a tale of two halves. After a lackluster start plagued by performance woes and mid-season bouncing issues, the team rallied in the latter part of the year, keeping the constructors’ title fight against McLaren alive until the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Despite falling short, Charles Leclerc believes the turnaround showcased Ferrari’s resilience and potential—but warns against complacency as 2025 looms.
“A Rollercoaster Season: From Struggles to Triumphs”
Ferrari’s SF-24 started the season lagging behind McLaren’s superior MCL38. The situation worsened after an upgrade introduced at the Spanish Grand Prix triggered severe bouncing issues, sidelining the team’s hopes of early-season victories. It wasn’t until Monza, with Leclerc’s emotional win at Ferrari’s home race, that the tide began to turn.
Reflecting on the season, Leclerc said:
“I’m very happy because the first part of the season wasn’t easy. We were definitely not the fastest car. We were actually struggling for performance.”
He credited Ferrari’s mid-season resurgence to teamwork and relentless development:
“The second part of the season, we’ve done an incredible job, mostly for improving the car in terms of pace. We picked up a lot of pace. On some races, we were probably the fastest car. This is thanks to the team in Maranello, thanks to Carlos [Sainz], thanks to me, and the team back at the track.”
“Execution Over Power: Ferrari’s Key to Staying Competitive”
Leclerc emphasized that Ferrari’s ability to contend for wins and poles wasn’t just about raw speed. The team’s precision in race execution proved vital, particularly in a season where consistency mattered as much as outright performance.
“The highlight of this season has definitely been the execution. To be fighting for the constructors’ at the end of the year until the very last race, if you look at the performance we had in the first part of the year, that’s where I think we’ve done a particularly good job. So on that, I’m very proud.”
“Learning From the Past: The Winter Break Challenge”
While Ferrari ended 2024 strong, Leclerc cautioned that momentum alone wouldn’t guarantee success in 2025. Drawing parallels to their 2022 season—where Ferrari started with promise but faltered as the season progressed—Leclerc highlighted the importance of a flawless winter development period.
“There’s been quite a lot of examples on our side where we finished a year strong and then struggled at the beginning of the year after. We’ve managed to pinpoint what went wrong in that winter break and what we didn’t do quite right. This experience is the most helpful to start next year in the best possible way.”
“The Lewis Hamilton Factor: A New Era at Ferrari”
Leclerc is set to welcome seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as his teammate in 2025, following Carlos Sainz’s move to Williams. Hamilton’s arrival signals Ferrari’s intent to solidify its position at the top, adding experience and star power to the team’s already formidable lineup.
Leclerc acknowledged the value of his partnership with Sainz, emphasizing their shared role in Ferrari’s progress:
“With Carlos, we’ve pushed the team into a very good direction, and I think we are in a very good place now.”
But the dynamic with Hamilton could be very different. While Sainz was a collaborative partner, Hamilton’s championship pedigree and competitive fire may introduce a new layer of intensity within the team.
“Eyes on the Prize: Ferrari’s 2025 Ambitions”
Ferrari’s resurgence in 2024 has reignited hope among the Tifosi, but the stakes for 2025 are higher than ever. With Hamilton joining the fold, expectations are sky-high for the Scuderia to break their constructors’ championship drought. Leclerc, now a seasoned leader, remains focused on ensuring Ferrari avoids the pitfalls of past seasons and delivers from the outset.
“We just came short of the ultimate goal this year,” Leclerc said. “But we’ve learned from our mistakes, and I think we’re in the best place to start strong in 2025.”
