These are some of the good intentions for F1 teams and drivers…Read
These are some of the good intentions for F1 teams and drivers
As the new season approaches, many drivers and teams reflect on the past year and set resolutions for improvement.
Here are some key intentions for several figures in Formula 1, based on their performances during the previous season.
Fighting with Max Verstappen – Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris
A major resolution for both Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris should be to challenge Max Verstappen more consistently.
Verstappen, despite facing a less-than-ideal car since the Miami Grand Prix, continued to dominate the competition through his consistency and resilience.
In contrast, both Leclerc and Norris struggled to maintain competitive pressure on the Dutchman.
Norris had multiple opportunities to close the gap but faltered when in close proximity to Verstappen.
Meanwhile, Leclerc showed potential but often pushed too far, leading to mistakes such as crashes.
For these two drivers to become genuine contenders for the 2025 World Championship, they will need to develop a more consistent and effective approach when fighting Verstappen.
Regaining Qualifying Form – Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton, a driver known for his exceptional qualifying prowess, faces a challenge in the coming season after a disappointing 2024 in this area.
Despite holding the record for the most pole positions in Formula 1 history, Hamilton was outpaced by his teammate, George Russell, who dominated the qualifying battles with a 19-5 advantage.
It was an unusual and surprising turn of events for Hamilton, who had never faced such a deficit in his career.
Whether it was due to age, a lack of motivation, or perhaps the anticipation of his future move to Ferrari, Hamilton must find his edge in qualifying if he hopes to succeed with his new team.
With the competition in Formula 1 tightening, even small differences in qualifying performance could have a significant impact on race results, making it more difficult to challenge for another title.
Learning Strategic Lessons – Ferrari and McLaren
For teams like Ferrari and McLaren, improving their strategic decision-making should be a top priority in the upcoming season.
Ferrari, despite improvements under team principal Frederic Vasseur, still suffered from significant strategic errors throughout the season.
Notable mistakes included a rain-soaked British Grand Prix where they failed to make the right calls, and a critical error in the Las Vegas Grand Prix where Carlos Sainz was called into the pit lane, only for the team to change their minds midway.
McLaren, while ultimately securing the championship, also made several questionable strategic decisions that cost them valuable points.
Both teams must refine their approach and avoid such costly blunders in 2025 if they wish to remain competitive.
Headphones Replaced by Earplugs – Racing Bulls
Racing Bulls, featuring Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar, face a unique challenge in managing their drivers’ temperaments.
Known for their fiery personalities, both drivers frequently express frustration over the radio during races.
Tsunoda, in particular, is notorious for his emotional reactions, and Hadjar, who has a reputation for being even more volatile, has made his mark in Formula 2 with similar outbursts.
As a solution, Racing Bulls might consider giving their engineers earplugs or muting the drivers’ radio transmissions during races.
This would reduce the on-air tension, while still allowing for crucial communication between the team and their drivers, keeping things more manageable for the engineers.
As the new season kicks off, these resolutions offer a glimpse into the areas where drivers and teams must focus to improve and achieve greater success.
Whether it’s fighting for the championship, sharpening their qualifying performances, improving strategy, or managing driver communication, each team and driver will need to work hard to turn their good intentions into tangible results.
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