The saga of Ferrari‘s journey through time is drenched in red history and has had its highs and lows. From John Surtees’ dual crown to Niki Lauda’s fiery comeback or from Fangio to Michael Schumacher, the team has had moments of glory and defeat. However, recent seasons reveal a story of shattered dreams, as the Ferrari faithful find themselves grappling with disappointment and dashed dreams. The echoes of Michael Schumacher’s triumphs and the whispers of past glories now mingle with a lament for what could have been.
With the 2022 season’s runner-up result still lingering, Charles Leclerc & Co. embarked on 2023 with renewed hope, poised to challenge Max Verstappen‘s reign. The SF-23 was touted as a marvel, promising unprecedented speed. However, as the cars roared to life in Bahrain, reality painted a different picture. The departure of Mattia Binotto marked a new era under the leadership of Fred Vasseur. Tasked with revitalizing the team, Vasseur aimed to recapture the glory days.
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However, his swift transition into the role limited his influence on the SF-23’s development. A revamped lineup and structural changes sought to rekindle the Ferrari spirit, but challenges persisted. What was expected to be a triumphant return to form became an uphill battle against competitors with equally potent engines and better reliability.
With the summer break here, Ferrari’s hopes of glory have crumbled, sitting at a disappointing P4. According to Quotidiano, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo’s words resound like a warning unheeded when asked “would you keep Leclerc beyond 2024? ” He warned, “But in the present, whoever drives the Reds is the least of the problems. I as president I had built a Dream Team, from Schumi to Todt, from Brawn to Byrne.” The dream team that once brought Ferrari to the pinnacle of glory seems a distant memory, a mirage in the rearview mirror.
As Ferrari meanders through the twists and turns of the track, the legacy of Schumacher, the glories of the past, and the hopes for the future form a complex tapestry of ambition, struggle, and the unwavering pursuit of victory. As the ghosts of Ferrari’s past hover over their uncertain present, another angle emerges, shedding light on the expectations and disappointments that the team’s history brings.
A wake-up call for Charles Leclerc & Co.
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In a recent episode of ‘The Race F1 Podcast’, the host set out to awaken Charles Leclerc and the Ferrari crew from their current slumber. The ongoing drought of successes seemed to demand a jolt of reality. Expanding on the team’s struggles, the host acknowledged Ferrari’s speed and capability. However, the unpredictability of race days has taken its toll. From tire choices to strategies, the team’s fortunes have swung wildly from one race weekend to another.
The host emphatically stated, “What we got to remember is that they are Ferrari. Ferrari should be a team that is competing for championships. That is what they are. I know there’s no God-given right to it but that’s what we expect from a team like Ferrari. But it’s been pretty disappointing.” This inconsistency has been the Achilles’ heel, leading to Ferrari’s downfall.
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What do you think will Ferrari rekindle their glory days?
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