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Carlos Sainz Admits Ferrari’s Shortcomings Cost Them the 2024 F1 Title: ‘We Should Have Done Our Homework Earlier’

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
December 16, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Carlos Sainz Admits Ferrari’s Shortcomings Cost Them the 2024 F1 Title: ‘We Should Have Done Our Homework Earlier’

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 8, 2024 Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. after finishing second in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with third place Ferrari's Charles Leclerc REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

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Carlos Sainz has candidly acknowledged that Ferrari’s inability to address key weaknesses early in the season left them vulnerable in the battle for the 2024 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship. Despite a valiant effort, Ferrari’s double podium at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix fell short as McLaren clinched the title with a commanding performance.

Sainz’s admission comes as Ferrari enters another off-season still searching for the elusive formula to end their title drought, which now spans 16 years.


A Missed Opportunity in Abu Dhabi

Heading into the season finale at Yas Marina, Ferrari faced a steep 30-point deficit to McLaren. Early drama provided a glimmer of hope when McLaren’s Oscar Piastri spun at Turn 1, but despite Ferrari’s efforts, Lando Norris controlled the race to seal a decisive victory and secure the championship for McLaren by 14 points.

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Reflecting on the race, Sainz admitted Ferrari’s SF-24 simply couldn’t match McLaren’s pace in the critical moments.

“On my side, I tried to do everything I could to keep within reach of McLaren,” Sainz said. “We knew they had one or two tenths on us, and that was enough to give them a buffer during the race.”

While Sainz maintained pressure during the opening stint, McLaren’s superior performance on hard tires in the latter stages widened the gap, leaving Ferrari powerless to mount a serious challenge.

“When we put on the Hard tyres, like we’ve seen in many cases this year, McLaren turned up the pace, pulling away by two or three tenths per lap. That was enough to secure their win.”


Ferrari’s Struggles in Key Areas

McLaren’s dominance at Yas Marina was evident from the outset, with the team locking out the front row in qualifying and setting the pace throughout the weekend. Sainz admitted that Ferrari’s SF-24 struggled in the high-speed, sweeping corners of the track—a weakness that McLaren exploited.

“If the track was all long straights and slow corners, we’d be flying around here,” Sainz explained. “But unfortunately, we had corners like Turn 9, where McLaren is a clear step ahead, just as we saw in Qatar. They simply had the better package for this circuit.”

While Ferrari’s late-season improvements were evident, Sainz stressed that failing to address these vulnerabilities earlier in the year left them exposed during the final rounds.

“It’s unfortunate the last two races were at tracks where McLaren was just a tenth or two quicker. But at the same time, that’s how the season goes. If that’s the case, we should have done our homework earlier.”


The Bigger Picture: A Season of Missed Potential

Sainz’s remarks reflect a broader frustration within Ferrari’s camp. Despite flashes of brilliance—such as Charles Leclerc’s victory in Monaco and Sainz’s own consistent performances—the Scuderia fell short when it mattered most.

Ferrari’s SF-24 struggled with balance and tire management at high-speed circuits throughout the season, while McLaren capitalized on its own strengths to secure critical wins. Ferrari’s inability to close the performance gap early in the campaign left them playing catch-up against a resurgent McLaren.

“They’re simply a better package for this circuit,” Sainz admitted. “But that doesn’t excuse us. We need to be better across all tracks, not just the ones that suit our car.”


Looking Ahead to 2025

With the 2025 season on the horizon, Ferrari will need to make significant strides to reclaim their status as championship contenders. McLaren’s resurgence under the leadership of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri has raised the bar, while Red Bull and Mercedes remain perennial threats.

Sainz, who will join Williams in 2025, leaves Ferrari with mixed emotions but is optimistic about the team’s future. Leclerc, now paired with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, will lead Ferrari’s charge next season.

“We’ve learned a lot this year, but learning isn’t enough,” Sainz concluded. “We need to translate those lessons into wins. If Ferrari can do that, they’ll be back at the top.”


The Final Word

Sainz’s candid assessment highlights the brutal realities of Formula 1: small margins can determine the difference between glory and heartbreak. For Ferrari, 2024 will be remembered as another “almost” season, but their ability to regroup and address their shortcomings will define their future.

Can Ferrari finally turn potential into performance in 2025? Or will McLaren, bolstered by their championship triumph, continue to dominate the grid? One thing is certain: the battle for supremacy in Formula 1 is far from over.

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