Big questions loom for Ferrari. Can the team snap out of what has turned into a losing streak?
Ferrari. The Italian carmaker has been the most popular force in Formula 1 racing, participating in the sport since its inauguration in 1950. The team has many fans around the world, and it has produced such champions as Phil Hill, Jody Scheckter, Niki Lauda, and Michael Schumacher.
Vettel (left) and Leclerc (photo, Daily Express)
But there are questions now. Big questions. What has happened to Ferrari? Can the team snap out of what has turned into a losing streak?
Sebastian Vettel, who had already won five world titles with Red Bull Racing, followed in Schumacher’s footsteps. But unknown reasons, things began going downhill when he was leading a rain-soaked German Grand Prix race at Hockenheim before sliding into the wall at the stadium entrance. In what might have been an unfortunate incident–a one-off–has turned into a pattern.
Ferrari brought in young Charles Leclerc, the first driver ever to come from the principality of Monaco. Leclerc began to challenge Vettel to the point where many thought the former Alfa Romeo driver would become Ferrari’s team leader. But Vettel was not having any of that, and it wasn’t long before issues surfaced. Vettel and Leclerc collided at last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix, and both cars were knocked out of the race. It happened again last weekend in Spielberg. To make matters worse, Ferrari has chassis issues.
In comparison to the more developed Mercedes team (the team that has dominated F1 since the hybrid turbo era began in 2014), Ferrari has never been in contention consistently, at least not in the last year.
With such a pattern in place, analysts and fans are wondering when heads may fall. That includes Luca Montemozelo, Stefano Domecialli, and Mattia Binotto.
The Scuderia believes that the COVID-19 pandemic has played into the current situation, most prominently in terms of the need to cut costs. Not re-signing Vettel is one example. There were consequences, including the tension between Vettel (in his final year with Ferrari) and Leclerc, and between Vettel and his Ferrari replacement, Carlos Sainz Jr.
Perhaps tension on the driver’s side might settle if Vettel were to sign a contract to drive elsewhere. A rumor has it that Vettel could replace Sergio Perez at Racing Point, but that story (published by only one source) doesn’t seem to have legs. A more likely option is that Vettel will retire. No matter, there are still issues with the car that the team needs to address.
Yes, a larger question remains to be answered: Can the team snap out of what has turned into a losing streak?
