The clock is ticking for Ferrari, as the Italian powerhouse faces an uphill battle to claim its first Formula 1 championship title since 2008. With just two races left in the 2024 season, the Maranello-based team trails Constructors’ Championship leaders McLaren by 24 points. Despite setbacks earlier in the year, team principal Frederic Vasseur remains defiant, urging Ferrari to push until the very last lap.
A Season of Highs and Lows
Ferrari began the season as Red Bull’s closest challenger, racking up two victories and nine podiums in the opening eight rounds. But a critical misstep in June’s Spanish Grand Prix—when an upgrade package led to severe bouncing issues—plunged the team into a slump.
The resulting performance dip allowed McLaren to overtake Ferrari as Red Bull’s primary rival, with the Woking-based squad dominating mid-season and taking control of the Constructors’ standings. However, Ferrari rebounded with a vengeance. A revised upgrade package debuted at Monza corrected earlier issues, propelling the team to victory at Italy, Austin, and Mexico.
Vasseur Dismisses “What Ifs”
While Ferrari’s mid-season struggles are widely viewed as the key factor in its potential championship shortfall, Vasseur is quick to argue that every team on the grid has faced missed opportunities.
“It is always easy at the end of the season to say, ‘without the crash in Singapore [Carlos Sainz’s qualifying incident], or without this or that, we would have been champions,’” Vasseur explained. “This is true for McLaren too. Everyone on the grid has had issues; part of the business is maximizing every point over the season.”
Ferrari’s weakest moments came at circuits like Spain, Austria, and Silverstone, where their SF-24 car lacked performance. But Vasseur points to the team’s resilience:
“The reaction was good. After three tough races, we were back on pace at Spa. It shows our ability to bounce back.”
Qatar: A Tough Test Ahead
The upcoming Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit poses a significant challenge for Ferrari. With its high-speed corners and smooth surface, the track highlights weaknesses in Ferrari’s SF-24, making it a likely damage-limitation event. Vasseur acknowledges the difficulty but remains optimistic:
“On paper, Qatar is not the best track for us. But we’ve had tough events before where we still managed to deliver. Let’s stay focused, maximize the result, and keep McLaren under pressure going into Abu Dhabi.”
The Final Push
With just two races remaining, Ferrari’s championship hopes hang by a thread, but Vasseur sees opportunity in the tight margin:
“I prefer to be 24 points behind than 200. It’s still open. In the last race, anything can happen. We will push until the last corner of the last lap.”
A Historic Moment Beckons?
For Ferrari, ending a 16-year title drought would be monumental—not just for the team but for its loyal global fanbase. Yet, the path to victory is fraught with challenges. McLaren, led by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, has shown exceptional consistency, while Ferrari must overcome both its technical limitations and fierce competition.
As the season hurtles toward its conclusion, one thing is certain: Ferrari will fight to the bitter end. Whether that’s enough to claim the championship remains to be seen, but the Scuderia’s resilience ensures this battle will go down to the wire.
