When Did Ferrari Last Claim a Formula 1 Championship?

Scuderia Ferrari entered the 2022 Formula 1 Championship with great promise. The Italian team blew the competition away with the brilliant pace of F1-75 and two wins in three races. With the promise from the incredible start, the Tifosi became hopeful toward the 2022 season.

However, after just 13 races ahead of the restart, that hope has disappeared. Only one team seems to head towards the championship glory, and we’re not sure Ferrari can do anything about it. Although, with another season possibly ending in disappointment, let’s look at the last time the Scuderia was successful.

Ferrari’s era of dominance

Ferrari as a constructor is one of the oldest and most successful in the history of Formula 1. The present-day scenario might elude one from the rich history of the Scuderia. However, the Italian team has been championships as constructors on 16 occasions and has won 15 driver’s championships as well.

The Ferrari mammoth began its modern era of dominance at the cusp of the century. The Scuderia won six constructors and five driver championships from 1999 to 2004 masterminded by Ross Brawn and Jean Todt.

Michael Schumacher led the Italian team to one of its most dominant displays in the sport’s history. The German during this time racked up five driver’s championships to make it seven overall. Schumacher’s wins came back-to-back starting from 2000 till 2004. The legendary German was the last driver to show such unprecedented dominance in a Ferrari suit.

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The driver’s championship might be an individual effort, but the constructors’ championship is a two-man effort. This is where Schumacher’s Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello comes in. The two Ferrari men consecutively brought home the constructors’ championship from 2000 to 2004.

Ferrari managed the constructors in 1999 as well, making it a six-year streak. The constructors’ championship win in 1999, credited to Schumacher, Eddie Irvine, and Mika Salo ended Ferrari’s 16-year drought for a title.

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However, following the Era of dominance, the Italian outfit was forced to a two-year break from championship celebrations.

The last championship double for Ferrari

Following the era of dominance, Ferrari had to wait two years for their next championship. Despite losing out on the championships in 2005, Ferrari came achingly close to winning the constructors in 2006. However, reliability problems in the last three races saw Renault pip Ferrari to the title with just five points.

In 2006, Schumacher announced his retirement from F1 and took up an advisory role at Ferrari. This opened doors for McLaren’s Finnish driver, Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn, after spending five years with McLaren and coming close to the title twice in 2003 and 2005, signed with the Italian team.

In 2007, Raikkonen joined Ferrari on a three-year deal partnering with Felipe Massa. Raikkonen instantly showcased his mettle behind the Ferrari single-seater by becoming the first driver since Nigel Mansell in 1989, to win his first Grand Prix with Ferrari. However, a poor run saw Raikkonen trail to rookie championship leader Lewis Hamilton by 26 points and 10 races to go.

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Although with a string of podium finishes and wins in the next 10 races, the Finn was back in the running. Raikkonen’s performances led to a three-way title bout between Hamilton, Alonso, and himself at the last race of the season. The Ferrari man took home the win and the driver’s championship title with just one point ahead of both Alonso and Hamilton.

Massa’s fourth finish coupled with Raikkonen’s first in the overall standings was plenty to win the constructors’ championship as well for Ferrari.

The last championship before the drought

The following year, the winning partnership started the season with the same zeal. Raikkonen won two of the opening four races for the Scuderia. However, the Finn could not keep up with his previous year’s pace and faded away as Massa took over for the 2008 season.

The Brazilian won six races during the 2008 season and almost got his hands on his maiden F1 championship. However, because of the heroics of McLaren’s Hamilton, Massa lost out on the championship with a single point. Despite Massa’s heartache, the overall eight wins were enough for Ferrari to capture the constructors’ crown.

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Sadly, 2008 was the last season Ferrari tasted glory on any of the championship fronts. The Scuderia looked to be a powerful contender for the 2022 season. However, with the recent showings, it seems highly likely Ferrari will have to wait another year, making it a 14-year-long drought for a championship.