The 2024 Formula 1 season has been filled with unexpected twists for Ferrari, a team with a legacy built on success but all too often haunted by inconsistency in recent years. There was hope in Maranello that the SF-24 chassis, paired with an ambitious new technical team and driver lineup of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, would close the gap to Red Bull and restore Ferrari to championship contention. However, as the season passes its halfway point, clear frustrations are surfacing, particularly in the words and demeanor of Charles Leclerc.
The Monegasque driver, who not long ago looked poised to take the fight to Max Verstappen, finds himself at the center of an enigma that has become Ferrari’s 2024 campaign. Leclerc’s candor, both in and out of the car, has revealed a deep discontent not merely with results but with the unpredictable nature of his machinery. “We are passengers sometimes,” Leclerc lamented over team radio following yet another difficult race weekend. The statement, while simple, encapsulates the sentiment of many in red—drivers and fans alike.
Ferrari’s early-season hopes have been dashed by a cocktail of misfortunes. After promising signs in pre-season testing and a strong podium finish in the season-opening round, the team has struggled to find consistency with the SF-24. The primary issue lies in its sensitivity to track conditions and setup changes, creating a car that is quick one weekend but hard to drive the next. Technical upgrades introduced throughout the campaign have not produced the leap forward expected; instead, drivers often feel at the mercy of circumstances beyond their control.
For Leclerc, the situation is even more intangible compared to his previous seasons at Ferrari. Despite his renowned talent for extracting performance from even the most uncooperative car, he now finds himself battling both rivals and his own machine’s limitations. “We work round the clock to understand, to adapt, to improve, but the progress is not matching our effort,” a visibly frustrated Leclerc shared with media. Reports from within the team highlight a complex web of aerodynamic instability and mechanical unpredictability—bugs that aren’t easily fixed with a simple setup tweak.
This unpredictability was evident during recent Grands Prix. Ferrari’s one-lap performance, usually a strength, has faded, exposing the drivers to mid-pack chaos and forcing risky tire strategies that often fail to pay off. Even with tire management—a trademark Ferrari forte in previous years—the current package delivers mixed results, sometimes losing pace precipitously mid-stint. The team’s engineers, led by technical director Enrico Cardile and new additions in the aerodynamics department, are frantically searching for answers, but the competition refuses to wait.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz has also voiced his frustration, though with a slightly more measured tone. Both drivers are united in their demand for a more consistent and predictable car, echoing a common refrain in Maranello’s post-race debriefs. The challenge for Ferrari is to quickly close the knowledge gap, both technically and operationally, if they wish to remain in the fight for podiums—let alone championship points.
The Silverstone weekend summed up the current malaise. On a circuit that should have suited the SF-24’s strengths, Ferrari found themselves battling midfield teams rather than the front-runners, with even the smallest balance issue costing crucial tenths per lap. Leclerc’s phrase, “we are passengers,” resonated as the latest chapter in Ferrari’s long saga of high hopes overshadowed by harsh reality.
Yet, all is not lost. Motivation within the squad remains high, bolstered by one of the most passionate fanbases in the sport. Ferrari knows it cannot afford to surrender; every point remains vital, every update critical. The Maranello engineers and strategists understand that regaining control—not being mere passengers—will be Ferrari’s greatest victory this year. For Leclerc and Sainz, the summer break may offer little rest, but plenty of opportunities to reset, regroup, and return fighting.
For Formula 1 fans, especially the tifosi, the story of Ferrari’s ongoing struggle is both familiar heartache and a promise of future redemption. One thing is certain: when the prancing horse finally finds its stride again, the celebrations will be all the more passionate for what the team—and its loyal supporters—endured along the way.
