Feature

Ferrari's 2024 Season: Marked improvement and a fight to the finish

Ferrari roared back into contention in 2024 to deliver their strongest season in years, thanks to a much-improved SF24 that showcased blistering one-lap speed, improved tyre management, and a race pace that often put Red Bull and its fellow front-runners on notice.

This translated to a campaign filled with podium finishes and five glorious victories, as well as their highest points tally in history.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. While Ferrari resolved its car’s long-standing tyre degradation issues, a new challenge emerged: warming up the tyres effectively, which hampered qualifying performances at key moments.

Mid-season struggles with a failed floor development triggered a period of inconsistent results until the summer break. Fortunately, a series of performance updates and strategic tweaks helped put the Scuderia back on the right track.

©Ferrari

Charles Leclerc was the Italian outfit’s standout performer. The Monegasque rediscovered his winning touch, claiming five victories and proving himself a master of tyre management when the car allowed.

His pole in Baku and inspired drive to victory at Monza highlighted his growing maturity and ability to deliver under pressure. Yet, inconsistency reared its head at times, most notably during Ferrari’s slump in the summer.

Carlos Sainz, in his final season with Ferrari, remained a reliable force and a consummate team player. His victory in Australia marked an emotional high, and his defensive masterclass at Monza played a key role in his team’s emotional home triumph.

Though not as outright quick as Leclerc, Sainz brought steadiness and grit, helping the Scuderia secure critical points in the Constructors’ standings.

Despite late-season challenges in Las Vegas and Qatar, where tyre management and on-track battles between Leclerc and Sainz proved costly, Ferrari managed to keep their title fight alive until the final race in Abu Dhabi.

Ultimately, McLaren's strength in the season finale proved too much, leaving the House of Maranello as runners-up in the Constructors' Championship.

But strategically and execution wise, Ferrari showed marked improvement. Gone were the days of infamous blunders; instead, the Scuderia often outfoxed rivals with sharp decision-making, particularly in unpredictable conditions.

Ultimately, Ferrari fell just short, ending the season 14 points adrift of McLaren. Still, their campaign was a testament to progress—a significant leap forward that reignited hope among Tifosi worldwide.

While they couldn't give Sainz the farewell championship he deserved, Ferrari's 2024 effort laid a strong foundation for the future, proving the Prancing Horse is once again a force to be reckoned with.

What's in store for 2025?

Ferrari enters the 2025 Formula 1 season with renewed vigor, and with a potent blend of confidence, momentum and proficiency. Leclerc, Maranello's home-grown hero, welcomes Lewis Hamilton for a seismic driver pairing that has ignited a firestorm of expectation.

The former will be eager to prove himself against the latter, while the Briton will be determined to deny the doubters their moment of vindication and show that even at 40, he still has the speed and tenacity to dominate at the highest level.

©Ferrari

Ferrari's 2025 challenger, codenamed "Project 677," will be a completely new design, as confirmed by team principal Frédéric Vasseur, indicating a significant development push by the Italian outfit rather than a mere evolution.

This approach confirms that Ferrari, like other top teams, is committed to maximizing performance in 2025 without sacrificing development for the 2026 regulations.

The Tifosi dream of a return to dominance, and with Leclerc and Hamilton at the helm, next year's campaign promises to be a season of high stakes and even higher hopes. Force!

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Racing Bulls rookie Hadjar denies he’s ‘a really angry guy’

Racing Bulls’ fresh-faced rookie Isack Hadjar is ready to rumble ahead of his maiden F1…

9 hours ago

Ben Sulayem hints at multiple F1 race directors in 2025

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has reportedly stated that Formula 1 will once again rely…

11 hours ago

Horner doubles down: ‘My commitment to Red Bull is absolute’

Christian Horner, the architect of Red Bull's Formula 1 dominance, has emphatically affirmed his “absolute”…

12 hours ago

Toto Wolff – the forgotten Red Bull driver!

Toto Wolff has established himself as one of the most successful team bosses in Formula…

14 hours ago

Lindblad crowned Oceania champion, F1 super licence in hand

Highly-rated Red Bull protégé Arvid Lindblad has taken a massive step toward his Formula 1…

15 hours ago

Netflix confirms Drive to Survive Season 7 release date

Rev your engines, F1 fans – Netflix has officially locked in the release date for…

15 hours ago