Leclerc’s victory in Monaco, placed the Ferrari driver second in the general classification. Just a year ago, not even that nuance was encouraging for Verstappen’s pursuer in the table, but In 2024 things have changed within Formula 1. One can speak of a certain superiority on the part of the three-time champion, but neither Max nor Red Bull seem unattainable again. In fact, they are not. So far this year (8 grand prix), the Dutchman has been defeated up to three times and not exactly at the hands of the other RB20. Sainz in Australia, Norris in Miami and Charles in the Principality, The triumphs that have not gone to the Milton Keynes factory have been shared. And between one victory and another, Ferrari in general and the Monegasque in particular, They have come out better than the rest.
Leclerc is only 31 points behind Verstappen in the World Cup and just a year ago, in the same phase of the season, the panorama was completely opposite. So Pérez’s Red Bull supported the Dutchman and only eight grand prizes after having started the course, the Mexican had a difficult time in his assault on the crown. The disadvantage with Max was 69 points (195 for the three-time champion compared to Checo’s 126) and the first non-Austrian car was Alonso’s Aston Martin, 78 points behind the leader. From the beginning it was understood that it would be another triumphant ride of Mad Max and there was no room for surprises, which on this occasion did occur.
From Maranello they aspire to a crown that they do not taste in the Scuderia since 2007 with Raikkonen and The situation is similar in the constructors’ championship thanks to Sainz’s victory and the rest of the podiums. That is why, from Ferrari, they have already begun to do the math. “I know we shouldn’t look, and Fred (Vasseur, the boss) He says let’s not watch the championship, but it is unavoidable. “You look at the championship and 24 points are nothing,” confessed Marc Gené, ambassador of the Italian team, in the podcast F1 Nation. Although the Spaniard is expectant to see “what happens next”, without falling into excess of euphoria, it is time to celebrate the moment and the step forward of the Prancing Horse in a three-way fight. Because It wouldn’t be smart to forget about McLaren either.
The Woking team also claims prominence and has shown opposition to Verstappen’s Red Bull. In fact, Vasseur recalled that there is still the World Cup and “there will be different tracks, with different designs and different characteristics that “They will fit more with McLaren or Red Bull.” But for now, the certainty is that both the drivers’ and constructors’ classifications are adjusted as the season progresses and at evaluate Ferrari’s title chances, The Frenchman added: “It is not a question of motivation because the motivation has been there for a long time, but it is the confidence in the team and the drivers.” That exists and the options, too.
