Trending now:Ferrari named Formula 1 top challenger of the Red…

For Ferrari, achieving second place has often been viewed as a disappointment given their stature and aspirations. Thus, while currently trailing behind Red Bull in 2024 may not be cause for celebration, it reflects a gradual progress rather than immediate success.

Despite Ferrari’s rich history and resources, the team endured its 15th consecutive season without a world championship in 2023. However, signs indicate that 2024 could be the year to break that streak, emphasizing the importance of sustained, long-term improvement over quick fixes.

The fact that Ferrari has developed a car that is consistently the second-fastest in Formula 1 speaks volumes about the team’s potential to challenge Red Bull in the future.

Here’s a breakdown of Ferrari’s improvements and remaining challenges:
– In terms of single-lap speed, the Ferrari SF-24 is consistently the second quickest car on average. Although Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap in Q2 in Bahrain, Ferrari couldn’t secure pole position.
– In three out of four races, Ferrari has outperformed other non-Red Bull teams in qualifying.

– While McLaren’s Lando Norris outqualified Ferrari at Suzuka, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished ahead of him in the race using different strategies, maintaining Ferrari’s record of being the top non-Red Bull team in races this season.
– Ferrari’s recent victory in Melbourne, aided by Max Verstappen’s brake issues, showcased the team’s potential to challenge Red Bull directly.

– With one race win and four podium finishes, Ferrari comfortably holds second place in the constructors’ championship with 120 points.
– Ferrari’s current points tally is its second-highest in the past decade, only four points behind its position at this stage in 2022 when it briefly challenged Red Bull for the championship. It even surpasses the early stages of unsuccessful title charges by Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.

These results indicate Ferrari’s upward trajectory and the resolution of some underlying weaknesses, placing them 21 points behind Red Bull in the constructors’ standings.