With five Grand Prix victories under their belt in the 2024 Formula 1 season, Ferrari is charging full speed ahead as Fred Vasseur’s team sets its sights on the coveted Constructors’ Championship. Trailing McLaren by just 36 points with 557 to their rival’s 593, Ferrari’s campaign will now hinge on a bold, all-or-nothing strategy for the remaining three races.
“We’re Going All In,” Declares Vasseur
Speaking ahead of next week’s high-stakes Las Vegas Grand Prix, Vasseur underscored the team’s focus on maximizing their points haul in every session.
“I don’t want to lose some points; I want to make points. We have to do better weekends than this weekend [at Interlagos], but it’s not a drama. We’ll have a much better weekend next race in Vegas, and it’s where we’ll have to score the big one.”
Ferrari’s fiery intent underscores the pressure to claw back critical ground against a dominant McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Both drivers have displayed remarkable form throughout the season, cementing McLaren as a formidable frontrunner.
Carlos Sainz’s Redemption Arc
One name shining under Vasseur’s spotlight is Carlos Sainz, who had an unfortunate showing in Vegas last year due to a freak incident involving a loose drain cover. This year, however, Vasseur is confident Sainz can rewrite the narrative.
“I’m not worried about this. I think he will be back in Vegas very strong. Last year Vegas was a good example; he started on the wrong side of the weekend with the drain cover.”
As Sainz prepares to depart for Williams in 2025, the Spaniard’s final races in red could be defining. Despite being overshadowed by teammate Charles Leclerc’s early success at Ferrari, Sainz has often matched or outperformed his teammate when it mattered most. His exit only adds another layer of drama to the team’s pursuit of championship glory.
Ferrari’s Final Push
While Leclerc and Sainz have proven to be a strong pairing, they’ll need to find another gear to challenge McLaren’s near-flawless season. With the Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix left on the calendar, Ferrari will need a “perfect storm” of strategy, reliability, and outright speed to topple the papaya-clad challengers.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Ferrari, as their 2024 campaign shapes up to be one of their most competitive in years. With Sainz on a farewell mission and Leclerc eager to lead the team to glory, the final act of this year’s F1 season promises to be a nail-biting showdown. Can Vasseur’s vision propel Ferrari back to the top, or will McLaren’s momentum prove too much to overcome?