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Ferrari frustrated with FIA decision ahead of Lewis Hamilton’s F1 debut with Maranello team

Ferrari is targeting a return to the top of Formula 1 by dethroning McLaren and securing their first Constructors’ Championship since 2008. With the addition of Lewis Hamilton alongside Charles Leclerc, they now boast what could be the strongest driver pairing on the grid. Last season, Fred Vasseur’s team finished just 14 points behind McLaren, a margin of only 0.12% of the total points available throughout the year. This narrow deficit means Vasseur will likely reflect on the key moments that cost Ferrari the title, including four retirements, one of which was a double DNF (Did Not Finish) at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Red Bull initially appeared to be on track for another dominant season, winning four out of the first five races, including three one-two finishes. However, when their performance dropped, it was McLaren, not Ferrari, that took advantage of the situation. Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, has suggested that McLaren’s rise could have been unfair, hinting at potential regulation violations. Specifically, after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in September, McLaren was forced to modify its ‘mini DRS’ rear-wing design, which had been questioned by rivals, who privately and publicly labeled it illegal.

While Ferrari didn’t voice their concerns as loudly as Red Bull, they didn’t entirely agree with McLaren’s apparent advantage. Vasseur opted to maintain a cordial relationship with McLaren CEO Zak Brown. Despite this, Ferrari wasn’t fully satisfied with how the FIA managed the situation. Both Ferrari and Red Bull pushed for stricter scrutiny during the summer break, and there were even talks about a potential crackdown starting from the Singapore Grand Prix. However, for reasons that remain unclear, this never came to fruition. As a result, McLaren—perceived as the primary beneficiary of the controversial loophole—may have gained a competitive edge in the final part of the 2024 season, which could extend into 2025.

The competitive landscape in 2025 could be significantly altered once new regulations come into play, but teams still have time to adjust before the changes take effect. Meanwhile, Hamilton could still have a shot at claiming his eighth World Championship title, though Ferrari will also be vying for the crown. Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc are seen as potential title contenders, with Verstappen remaining unbeaten since the end of 2020. Norris, driving for McLaren, might have the fastest car, and Leclerc is already well-established within the Ferrari team.

Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde believes Hamilton’s performance in qualifying could improve if he analyzes his new teammate, Charles Leclerc. There is also speculation around Hamilton’s ability to handle the unique media scrutiny that comes with driving for Ferrari. However, given Hamilton’s experience as F1’s biggest star, he is already well-accustomed to such attention and is expected to navigate it without issue.