Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has confessed his astonishment that the team remains a contender in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, despite what he describes as a catastrophic middle segment of the 2024 season.
After storming victories in Australia and Monaco by Sainz and teammate Charles Leclerc respectively, the Scuderia seemed poised to mount a serious challenge against Red Bull. But a series of dismal performances and failed upgrades plunged Ferrari into a downward spiral that many thought would be insurmountable.
“It’s surprising, honestly,” Sainz admitted ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. “We had a strong start, but that middle third of the season was a disaster. Yet here we are, still in the fight.”
Between Leclerc’s triumph in Monaco and his recent win at Monza, Ferrari could muster only three third-place finishes. The team’s inability to enhance their car’s performance with effective upgrades left fans and critics questioning their competence. However, Sainz attributes their survival in the championship race to relentless effort and flawless execution under pressure.
“This shows how far we’ve come in terms of executing well,” Sainz remarked. “Even when the car wasn’t performing, we managed to score points. Charles and I are consistent, always pushing each other, always maximizing what we have. That’s kept us in contention during a tough season.”
With Red Bull’s lead in the Constructors’ Championship dwindling to a mere 39 points, and McLaren grabbing headlines for their aggressive pursuit, Ferrari’s resurgence at Monza has reignited hopes within the team. Leclerc’s victory on home soil was not just a win but a statement: Ferrari is not done yet.
Team Principal Fred Vasseur had hinted before the summer break that upcoming tracks could favor Ferrari’s car characteristics. “We have a good sequence of tracks for us with Monza, Baku, Singapore,” he said. Monza delivered on that promise, but Sainz remains cautious.
“Sure, it gives us a good run, but it might be misleading,” he warned. “When we get to Austin, if the car behaves like it did in Zandvoort, we’ll struggle. It’s impossible to predict where we’ll stand because the margins are so tight.”
Sainz is adopting a pragmatic approach as the season enters its final third. “We’re taking it race by race,” he said. “We have to maximize our performance on tracks that suit us and execute perfectly. On tougher weekends, we’ll see where we are. The goal is to keep fighting until the end.”
Ferrari’s rollercoaster season has been a test of resilience and adaptability. From the highs of early victories to the lows of mid-season failures, the team has managed to stay afloat in one of the most competitive F1 seasons in recent memory. Whether they can sustain this momentum and overtake Red Bull remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Carlos Sainz and Ferrari are not backing down.
