Ferrari’s 2024 Formula 1 campaign was a rollercoaster of progress and setbacks, marked by improved results but overshadowed by the sting of narrowly losing second place in the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren by just 14 points. While the Scuderia’s five wins in 2024—including triumphs at Melbourne, Monaco, Monza, Austin, and Mexico City—showcase significant progress compared to their lone victory in 2023, team boss Frédéric Vasseur insists it wasn’t enough.
The Frenchman’s assessment is clear: Ferrari made a “huge step forward,” but to reclaim their place at the pinnacle of F1, the team must tackle its shortcomings with unrelenting determination.
The Tyre Conundrum: A Tradeoff That Cost Ferrari Early Momentum
Ferrari’s SF-24 solved the tyre degradation issues that plagued its 2023 predecessor, but the solution came at a cost. While the car was kinder to its tyres over long stints, it struggled to “switch on” its tyres quickly enough, hampering its ultimate pace. This tradeoff was evident in the early part of the season, where Ferrari struggled to keep up with McLaren and Red Bull.
The team’s major upgrade package at the Spanish Grand Prix was a mixed bag, introducing not just speed but also bouncing issues that lingered until the Italian Grand Prix, when a new floor finally resolved the problem. By then, valuable points had slipped through their fingers.
Vasseur’s Honest Assessment: “Every Department Must Be Better”
Speaking after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Vasseur refused to pin Ferrari’s shortcomings on any single factor. “If you want to do a good job, you have to be focused on every single pillar of performance, on every single area,” he said. “I don’t want to point a finger at one group… but every department must do a better job than in 2024.”
Vasseur emphasized the need for Ferrari to embrace a relentless mindset of continuous improvement, focusing on small gains in every area of the car and team operations. “This mindset is general for sport, and if we don’t have it, we are dead,” he declared.
Near-Miss Frustration: The 14-Point Gap to McLaren
Despite the strides Ferrari made in 2024, the narrow margin to McLaren in the standings left a bitter aftertaste. “At the end, 14 points are missing,” Vasseur said. “If you are 80 or 100 points behind, you don’t feel the frustration. I have tonnes of thoughts in my mind where we lost those 14 points.”
Ferrari’s midseason resurgence, highlighted by standout performances at their home race in Monza and later in Austin and Mexico City, demonstrated the team’s potential. However, moments of inconsistency and early-season struggles left them playing catch-up.
Hamilton’s Arrival: A New Chapter for Ferrari
Looking ahead to 2025, Ferrari’s revised driver lineup adds an intriguing twist. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton joins the Scuderia from Mercedes, partnering with Charles Leclerc. Hamilton’s arrival signals Ferrari’s ambition to end their 15-year championship drought and adds a wealth of experience to the team.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz departs for Williams after a strong run with Ferrari, leaving behind a legacy of consistency and growth. The combination of Hamilton’s proven track record and Leclerc’s raw speed could make Ferrari a formidable force if they can deliver a competitive car.
What’s Next for Ferrari?
The Scuderia’s 2024 season demonstrated progress, but the frustration of falling just short has set a fire under the team heading into 2025. With a revamped driver lineup and lessons learned from this year’s shortcomings, Ferrari is poised to mount an even stronger challenge.
For Vasseur and the entire Maranello squad, the mission is clear: leave no stone unturned in pursuit of perfection. As the grid tightens and rivals like McLaren and Red Bull continue to innovate, Ferrari must rise to the occasion—or risk another year of unfulfilled potential.
The stage is set, the drivers are ready, and the red resurgence is on the horizon. But can Ferrari finally deliver? The 2025 season promises to be a defining year in their storied history.