After finishing the first half of the season with two victories, followed by a slightly more difficult period in the middle of the year, the Scuderia showed a clear progression in the second part of the season. This allowed it to overtake Red Bull and become McLaren's main rival in the fight for the constructors' title. This duel, which was played out until the end in Abu Dhabi, was ultimately won by McLaren with 14 points ahead.
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Despite this, Charles Leclerc was positive about the team's performance and development in 2024. “I am very happy because I think the first part of the season was not easy”confided the 27-year-old pilot. “We definitely weren't the fastest car. We even had difficulties in terms of performance. »
“In the second half of the season we did an incredible job, mainly to improve the car in terms of pace. We gained a lot of speed. We were much closer to the leaders, and in some races we were probably the fastest car. This is thanks to the team in Maranello, to Carlos [Sainz]to myself, and to the team on the track who did a great job with the new improvements. »
“But I think the highlight of this season has definitely been the execution. Because fighting for the constructors' title until the last race, if you look at the performance we had at the start of the season, that's where we did a particularly good job. So for that I am very proud. »
2025: the year of consecration?
Asked about the importance of this factor to start quickly in 2025, Charles Leclerc warned that Ferrari could not rely solely on this dynamic. “I think we had two seasons where we basically fought for the championship”he explained. “Obviously one didn't last long enough, it was in 2022. And I think with that, we grew a lot. »
The Ferrari driver believes he has learned a lot this season. “I have grown a lot as a driver, and I think we have also grown a lot as a team. After a long period without success, most of the team members changed, and for many it was the first time fighting with Ferrari at the top again. »
“I think it’s an important process. But yeah, I think over the last four years we've taken steps in the right direction. With Carlos, we have pushed the team in a very good direction, and I think we are now in a very good position. »
“Of course, we just missed the ultimate goal this year. But I quite agree with Lando [Norris] about how dynamics isn't really a thing. There have been quite a few examples from our side where we finished one season well and then struggled at the start of the next, so we really have to stay focused. »
“We had several examples, and we managed to identify what went wrong during the winter break and what we didn't do well, which cost us dearly at the start of the following season. And it is probably this experience that will be the most useful to start next year in the best possible way. »
This season, Ferrari has shown that it can play at the forefront, being in battle with Red Bull and McLaren. The Italian team hopes to win a title in 2025.
