This weekend, the vibrant atmosphere in Italy once again showcased Ferrari’s unique standing in Formula 1. As the only team that’s been around since the sport’s inception in 1950, Ferrari holds a special place in the hearts of fans, especially in their home country where a win brightens everyone’s Monday.
Ferrari is the most successful team in F1 history with sixteen constructor championships, far outpacing teams like Williams, Mercedes, and McLaren. Despite its storied past, Ferrari has struggled in recent years, with their last driver’s championship win coming from Kimi Raikkonen in 2007. The yearning for a return to glory has never been more intense among fans.
The era of success from 1999 to 2004 under the leadership of Jean Todt, an unknown Frenchman at the time, marked a turning point for Ferrari. Todt’s radical changes included hiring non-Italian engineers and designers, bringing in talents like Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne. Michael Schumacher was the final piece, leading Ferrari to multiple championships.
Traditionally, Ferrari has favored a clear number one driver, a practice that continued with drivers like Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. However, the long championship drought suggests that this might not be the effective strategy it once was.
The latest shake-up in Ferrari’s leadership saw Fred Vasseur from Sauber taking over as team principal. Immediately, rumors swirled about Vasseur’s potential favoritism towards Charles Leclerc, given their history. Vasseur, however, has firmly dismissed any notion of appointing a number one driver, insisting on equal treatment for both Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Despite media speculation following the announcement that Lewis Hamilton would join Ferrari next year, Vasseur has reiterated his stance. In recent comments, Vasseur praised both Sainz and Leclerc for their contributions, maintaining that internal competition is essential for team progress, much like McLaren’s approach with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Hamilton, who enjoyed a number one status at Mercedes, will not automatically get the same treatment at Ferrari. Details of Hamilton’s contract remain confidential, but it seems unlikely that Vasseur would shift from his well-defined position on driver equality.
Fred Vasseur’s leadership marks a significant shift in Ferrari’s approach, moving away from the traditional number one driver model. Lewis Hamilton will have to earn his place against Charles Leclerc, signaling a new era of competition within the Scuderia.
