Usually peaceful green setting of Lombardy, the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza has become, for a weekend – and like every year in more than 72 editions -, the stronghold of the “tifosis”. These unconditional supporters of the Ferrari team, adorned in the emblematic red of the Scuderia from head to toe, will be able to admire, on September 2 and 3, on the sidelines of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Italy, several “historic” single-seaters. But they won’t be mistaken: no fan zone, however legendary, can fill the void left by the expectation of sports results.
In 4th place in the 2023 constructors’ classification, with only three podiums in thirteen races and two drivers out of luck overall (Carlos Sainz Jr 5th, Charles Leclerc 6th), the prancing horse team will hardly be at the forefront of ” his “Grand Prize.” It is certainly difficult to compete on a regular basis with the unwavering Max Verstappen (Red Bull), on track to acquire a tenth victory in a row on Sunday – more than any other driver before him – but the Italian team is not at the expected level.
After a nightmarish weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc hopes to return to success at Monza, the seat of his coronation in the colors of Ferrari, in 2019. The 2022 vice-world champion is now in 6th place in the driver standings (99 points). “I think we should be a little more competitive here,” nuanced the Monegasque ahead of the Grand Prix. As to whether it will be enough to fight for a podium, I can’t tell you at this stage: ask me again on Sunday after the race! »
Left behind in his rivalry with Verstappen
The Monegasque can only measure the gulf that now separates him from “Mad Max”, he who was nevertheless his rival and his equal from an early age. Born in 1997, seventeen days apart, the two drivers faced each other as children on karting circuits before extending their rivalry to Formula 1, sometimes with roughness. Already in 2013, Charles Leclerc became vice-world kart champion in Varennes-sur-Allier, ahead of a certain… Max Verstappen.
Asserting themselves as they progressed as the most talented drivers of their generation, the two young men also shone with their precocity. Charles Leclerc became at 21 years, 10 months and 16 days, the third youngest driver to win in Formula 1, after Max Verstappen (18 years and 7 months in 2016) and Sebastian Vettel (21 years and 2 months in 2008). They have since become the protagonists of anthology duels, like the 2019 British Grand Prix, or that of Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), in 2022. But very quickly, Red Bull and Max Verstappen rose a step above, winning the world championship titles in 2021 and 2022.
At the same time, Charles Leclerc had to deal with badly born cars, hesitant and even wobbly strategies, but also reliability problems and personal faults… Result: while aiming to compete with Red Bull, Scuderia Ferrari is not at the level.
After a few difficult seasons, would the Monegasque be tempted to look elsewhere? “I have always loved Ferrari and I would like to stay. I have always made it very clear that my goal was to try to be world champion, but first with Ferrari, ”swept the interested party in an interview with the BBC.
“Charles seems to have digested the situation better”
To provide a more competitive single-seater to its drivers, the prancing horse has also announced that it is working on the realization of a “very different” car for the 2024 season, embarking on a major wave of recruitment. The short-term objective is to become the second force on the board again in the second half of the season. However, Ferrari will face competition from McLaren, Mercedes and Aston Martin.
On the other hand, there is no longer any question of closing the gap with Red Bull, as the Dutchman’s team plays outside the category (14 victories in 14 races). Still, the Scuderia will not be able to revolutionize everything by 2024, a question of regulations, budget ceiling and availability of the best technicians.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferrari boss Frédéric Vasseur blamed his drivers for Ferrari’s disappointing results: “We can always do better, as a team and as a driver. . Charles Leclerc did not expect a season like this and at the start he pushed more than he should have. Now he seems to have digested the situation better. »
Even more, the Monegasque, less competitive this beginning of the season, is ahead of three points in the drivers’ classification by his teammate Carlos Sainz Jr: “Charles Leclerc is impulsive. If something goes wrong, he doesn’t hold back. However, for his own good and that of the team, it is sometimes better to calm down before speaking, noted Frédéric Vasseur. Charles is always very fast, but this year, if you look at qualifying, Carlos was more on his level than in the past. »
Lacking victories on which to capitalize in Formula 1, the Scuderia spoke of its good fortune in endurance. For the Italian Grand Prix, the team changed its livery to pay homage to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, adding touches of yellow. A reference to the 499P of James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi, victorious in June in the Sarthe. Ferrari will also equip its drivers with “retro” helmets and suits. A way to remember the great hours of the stable waiting for better days. It will take at least that to restore “colors” to a single-seater that has not won any victories this season.
