Struggling for Netflix and Chill: Can Ferrari's Formula 1 Legends Binge Their Way to 2021 Victory?
Charles Leclerc spilled the beans post-race, "It was a tough year for us, and it's a shame it ended this way." Despite some remarkable improvements in recent races, the team is ambitiously eyeing a bounce-back in 2022, hoping to return stronger than ever.
From pomping the champagne in second place in the constructors' championship from 2017 to 2019, the Italian team seemingly jumped ship to sixth place in 2020. In 2019, Ferrari clapped their hands together for 19 podium finishes with two drivers hauling in three victories apiece. However, the 2020 festivities were limited to three podium visits.
In a sport synonymous with constant progression, Ferrari's performance under a year of milestone celebrations is alarming.
Phil Duncan, a Formula 1 reporter for PA Media, shared his thoughts with CNN, "It was definitely a forgettable year for Ferrari. If they finish 2022 in a similar position as this year, it won't be good enough. For a team like Ferrari, they are the most successful in this sport, but since 2007, they haven't clinched any other world champion title."
So, what fettered Ferrari, a team with a long roster of iconic drivers like Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda, and John Surtees? Is there a glimmer of hope for a rebound in 2021?
The Vettel Dilemma
Ferrari has logged an unrivaled 16 constructors' titles. Williams, with nine wins, trails in distant second.
The Italian team embarked on the new millennium with five constructors' and drivers' championships in their back pocket, thanks to Schumacher. Räikkönen then hopped aboard to lift another double in 2007. But triumphs came to a halt after that.
Many believed that four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel would be the missing piece, adding more titles to Ferrari's victories. In his debut year with the team, Vettel managed three wins. But with the rise of the ambitious Leclerc, Vettel was outshined in the ensuing years.
Lawrence Barretto, a leading writer at Formula1.com, shed some light on the situation, "When Charles won seven pole positions and claimed a victory in the final stage, it was clear that Sebastian had struggled to meet expectations that season. I believe it deeply affected Sebastian."
Early in the year, Ferrari announced that Vettel would be replaced by Carlos Sainz, signaling that the prodigious Leclerc would be the team's future leader.
However, Duncan remains skeptical about blaming Vettel's loss of confidence on Leclerc's rise. "He went up against Lewis [Hamilton] and mostly outperformed him. Since the German Grand Prix in 2018, his performance has been on a downhill slope."
Vettel's Turmoils Weren't Just with Leclerc
Ferrari's downfall is not solely attributed to Vettel or Leclerc's confidence issues. When the climate was in their favor, the car simply wasn't up to the task.
Nightmare with Regulations
Following the United States Grand Prix, Ferrari was hit with regulatory clarifications, which necessitated motor modifications. Regular FIA inspections found no wrongdoing, but the modifications reduced their performance potency for the remaining races.
Ferrari maintains its innocence, and during the winter break of that year, Fernandez and the FIA reportedly reached a ‘comprehensive agreement.’ However, the specifics of this agreement were not disclosed.
Ferrari also bore the brunt of more motor rule modifications than any other engine supplier at the beginning of the 2020 season.
According to records from the Belgian Grand Prix in August 2020, the average car speed dropped by 10 km/h compared to 2019. Ferrari's incredible speed in qualifying in 2019 led to average starting positions of 4.3 and 4.4 for Vettel and Leclerc, respectively. But their performance in 2020 was significantly weaker.
However, Ferrari made significant strides to improve their cars and engines for 2021 before the budget cap was introduced for the 2022 season.
In an attempt to create fair competition standards and thwart Mercedes' domination, the budget cap is capped at $145 million USD in 2021, $140 million USD in 2022, and $135 million USD between 2023 to 2025.
With an alleged $400 million USD per year being spent by Ferrari, it is imperative that they exploit their maximum resources in the 2020 season to prepare for the 2021 season.
"It is expected that [Ferrari] will strive to outperform as much as possible by the end of this year and make full use of its maximum resources," said Barretto. "From the power unit perspective, it's fantastic. However, from an aerodynamic standpoint, it will be more challenging for them due to the team’s relative stability and this year’s regulations. They will have to make significant strides to improve further."
Ferrari acknowledged the challenges faced in the 2020 season, stating, "But in the second half of the season, we began introducing updates which improved the car's performance and demonstrated that development was heading in the right direction, despite unsatisfactory results."
Positive indications point toward a promising 2021, but there are still significant hurdles to overcome.
"It is true that the car's bases for development remain frozen in 2021, but improvements can be made in certain areas using Tokens," Ferrari explained in a statement. "Then there is a completely new PU under development, which is currently on the test bench – and the feedback has been encouraging."
Leadership and Team Stability
Mattia Binotto, Ferrari team principal, has bucked the trend of the team's frequent leadership changes. Binotto has served as team principal since the end of 2018.
However, the pressure on Binotto remains immense, as he is expected to uphold high standards for a team that has never contended with midfield finishes.
Sergio Marchionne, the former Ferrari chairman and CEO, and Louis Camilleri applied the heat on Binotto, with Camilleri stepping down as CEO just before the final Grand Prix weekend of the 2020 season, temporarily replaced by John Elkann.
In response to potential reshuffling due to the team's poor performance in the 2020 season, Ferrari stated, "During the 2020 season, Ferrari's technical department was reorganized to improve efficiency and ensure better performance."
"The structure of Ferrari's Scuderia continues to evolve and is preparing for the introduction of new regulations in 2021. Regarding Team Principal Mattia Binotto, Ferrari's top management continues to support him fully."
A New Lease on Life
In 2021, Ferrari is placing its hopes on the arrival of Carlos Sainz, believing he will aid in their recovery.
Barretto believes that Sainz will bring "leadership" to the team following his time at McLaren.
"He will be the first to arrive in the factory, pushing for higher performance – and as soon as he sets foot in the factory, he will rally everyone else to join him," Barretto told CNN.
According to Sainz, "I will be the first in the factory pushing for higher performance and I'll be pushing everyone else to make the same push."
"It's a long road – they need to make a massive leap to return to where we all dream of being, but if anyone can do it, it's Ferrari," Sainz told Auto Bild.
Unfortunately for Ferrari, their 2021 ambitions are likely to remain aspirational, even Barretto is not hugely optimistic about the team improving significantly this season. With restrictive regulations for 2021, Ferrari's hopes lie in more substantial improvements for the 2022 season.
"The 2021 regulations don't provide them with the platform for surprises, and I believe they are being realistic about the fact that although improvements can be made this year, meaningful gains will be achieved in 2022," Barretto elaborated.
