Ferrari’s recent struggles on the track have been highlighted by notable improvements from McLaren and Mercedes, sparking a stark comparison.
- Ferrari’s early season promise with wins in Australia and Monaco has fizzled out in the face of recent troubles.
- A misstep at the Spanish Grand Prix introduced bouncing issues, forcing a rollback on their upgrades.
- McLaren and Mercedes capitalized on their improvements, overshadowing Ferrari’s faltering performance.
- Experts believe Ferrari has not managed to break free from their issues, placing them in a ‘vortex’ of repeated mistakes.
Ferrari started the season with high hopes, boasting early victories in Australia and Monaco. At that point, they were just 24 points behind Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship and Charles Leclerc was second in the Drivers’ standings, fueling speculation of a potential title challenge.
However, a critical error at the Spanish Grand Prix caused bouncing in high-speed corners, nullifying their upgrades. The timing was unfortunate as it coincided with McLaren’s successful upgrades in Miami and Mercedes’ new front wing in Monaco, amplifying Ferrari’s missteps.
As a result, Ferrari plummeted to third in the Constructors’ Championship, trailing behind a resurgent McLaren. Mercedes also gained momentum, securing three victories out of the last four races. Damon Hill commented that both teams earned their right to challenge for wins due to strategic improvements, unlike Ferrari, which seems stuck in a cycle of recurring issues.
Podcast pundit Tom Clarkson drew parallels between Ferrari’s current season and their 2022 campaign, where a strong start unraveled post the Spanish Grand Prix. Despite showing some consistency in recent races at Hungary and Spa, the team has not regained its early-season form.
Red Bull remains the team to beat, with Max Verstappen dominating the Drivers’ standings. Despite other teams winning more races compared to last season, Verstappen’s performance keeps him well ahead in the competition, reflecting ongoing challenges for Ferrari and other competitors.
Ferrari’s season highlights a series of missteps and challenges, while rivals capitalize on their own advancements.
