After experiencing several weeks of issues–between drivers and between drivers and the crew–Ferrari says it’s back on track.
The 2019 season has been mostly about Mercedes’ dominance. Teammate Valtteri Bottas got an opening win, and except for a few wins by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the early season belonged to Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton is on course to clinch his sixth world championship–just one short of tying Michael Schumacher’s record–a record that many thought would never be broken.
But the second half of 2019 hasn’t been all about Mercedes. Ferrari took charge after the summer break. After near-misses earlier in the season, Charles Leclerc suddenly won consecutive races in Belgium and Italy. He has also taken four successive pole positions through last week.
Vettel (left) and Leclerc after the Russian Grand Prix (photo, Formula1.com)
Ferarri’s rebound hit a snag of sorts two weeks ago in Singapore. An early pit stop by Leclerc’s teammate–four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel–confused Leclerc and (perhaps) cost him the race. Leclerc finished second.
Journalists wondered if what had happened in Singapore was a hangover from a qualifying kerfluffle in Monza. Leclerc didn’t reciprocate after Vettel had accorded Leclerc a courtesy.
Well, observers didn’t have to wait long to see what might emerge. This past week in Russia, Leclerc–who was again on the pole–had a bad start, bad enough for Vettel to pass him on the first lap down the opening long straight. Vettel began increasing his lead, but then, after a few laps, Leclerc was ready for the German to move over and let him pass into first. Vettel was having nothing of it, though. He told his team on pit radio to “Have him catch up!”
Eventually, on lap 27, Vettel began to complain that his tires were wearing down and pitted. That didn’t help Leclerc, but it did help Hamilton, who was able to take over the lead, mainly because Leclerc had come in for an earlier pit stop.
Vettel forced to retire at Russian Grand Prix (photo, Daily Express)
To make matters worse for Ferrari, Vettel experienced an MGU-K power failure as soon as he exited the pits. Leclerc was now chasing Bottas for second following another pit stop. This time it was without a realistic chance of winning.
For the Scuderia, heads were turning. Not only was the prospect of winning gone, but Mercedes took 1-2. Leclerc took third, and Vettel logged a DNF. The Ferrari run had ended.
The big question now is whether issues from the last few races signal a rift between Vettel and Leclerc. If so, it’s terrible news for Ferrari–a team that had turned the corner after the break. If a conflict has emerged, it won’t be the first time for this Italian team. It happened in 1982 with Didier Pironi and Gilles Villeneuve and, again, in 2002 with Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barichello.
The stakes are high this time. Any more of it will undoubtedly give more championships to the rivals from Stuttgart. But Ferrari may have nipped further problems in the bud. Leclerc has forgiven the team for what happened. And Vettel? He has agreed to follow the plan.
We’ll soon see if team alignment prevails. Next stop is the Japanese Grand Prix in two weeks.
