Certainly, Max Verstappen and his fellow competitors showed their dominance in the event, as expected in Suzuka. However, if we delve deeper, we can begin to observe the early signs of competition emerging in the F1 grid.
Although Carlos Sainz may be an easy target to blame, it is necessary to explore further to understand the factors contributing to his current performance.
The year 2022 proved to be disastrous for Ferrari, culminating in the replacement of their Team Principal, the kind Italian engineer Mattia Binotto, by a French counterpart, Fred Vasseur.
I often sympathized with Binotto and saw him as an inappropriate choice for the role. I never anticipated that he would be able to control the undisciplined Ferrari team. His first hurdle was being an Italian born in Switzerland, which could be assumed to be advantageous.
However, the weight of national expectations made it difficult for him to transform Scuderia Ferrari into a functional entity.
Another challenge was that he was primarily an engineer and only secondarily a business manager. This approach does not align well with the demands of F1. Vasseur, on the other hand, is a skilled engineer but, above all, a determined fighter in the pits who achieves results through his team.
If we examine the top teams, we will observe this characteristic. Regardless of our opinions on Toto Wolff, Christian Horner, and Zak Brown, they all have the ability to motivate their teams, negotiate deals, and stand firm when necessary. Binotto, unfortunately, was simply too kind.
Fred has always been the ideal candidate to take on the colossal challenge of Ferrari. Firstly, he is French and possesses a certain level of Gallic arrogance, a trait necessary to impose authority over the team.
Secondly, his disarming charm and somewhat clownish demeanor may lead others to underestimate him and his team. Falling for this false narrative would be a serious mistake for any competitor.
To say that John Elkann has put a cunning fox in the henhouse of Scuderia Ferrari would be an understatement. However, one could expect more chaos and turmoil once the cunning fox infiltrated.
However, this is not Vasseur’s style. The chickens quietly disappeared, making way for the new ones without causing a commotion. Some remnants of the chaos from Ferrari in 2022 lingered into 2023. However, as the season progressed, things gradually calmed down.
The start of the 2024 season has already shown that the momentum from 2023 continues to propel Ferrari forward. Yes, they have a superior car compared to last year. However, what truly sets them apart is their functional race strategy. The pit wall now exudes a sense of confidence and calm competence. Instead of relying on the drivers for guidance, which is unusual for Ferrari, they take charge and provide direction. This is the result of Vasseur’s efforts.
It is worth noting to the Tifosi that the last time Ferrari reigned in the world of F1, they also had a French Team Principal. It is interesting to remember that when Jean Todt took over, one of his initial actions was to ban wine on the table during race weekends. Perhaps this was because they were serving Valpolicella instead of Bordeaux.
Regardless, they say the wine returned after his departure. Now, Ferrari seems to be back on track, and I suppose Fred is not the type to indulge in wine.
© 2024
A new study has revealed that the number of sports fans is rapidly increasing worldwide. According to the research, over 50% of the global population considers themselves sports fans. This is a significant increase compared to previous years.
The study also showed that soccer is the most popular sport worldwide. Over 70% of sports fans stated that soccer is their favorite sport. Basketball and tennis were also mentioned as popular sports among fans.
Furthermore, the study revealed that sports fans have a significant impact on the economy. Sports events attract a large number of spectators and generate considerable revenue for host cities. This includes ticket sales, sponsorships, and the merchandising industry.
However, the study also pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on sports. Many events were canceled or postponed, resulting in significant financial losses for organizers and sports teams. Nevertheless, with the gradual resumption of sports activities, it is expected that the industry will recover in the coming years.
In summary, the study shows that sports fans are on the rise worldwide. Soccer remains the most popular sport, but other sports like basketball and tennis also have a solid fan base. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused difficulties for the sports industry, it is expected to recover as sports events resume.
