At the end of the day, if there is one factor that levels all sports for the purposes of the final judgement, it is the numbers. Numbers equal seconds and down to thousandths, as regards race victories or qualifying records, if we talk about F1; goals or baskets scored, centimeters or winning serves if we focus on football or basketball, high jump or tennis. But at the end of a season, and therefore of a championship, they are the ones to do the math: the points. And they rarely lie.
We are therefore at our analysis: after the first six races of the year, how are the balance of power compared to the situation recorded after the first six GPs of 2023? This is the summary of the two Constructors’ championship rankings after Miami, which a year ago as well as today was race number six of the season:
Red Bull + 15 points (from 224 points in 2023 to the current 239)
Ferrari + 109 (from 78 to 187)
McLaren + 110 (14 to 124)
Mercedes + 68 (96 to 164)
Aston Martin – 60 (from 102 to 42)
The teams are listed according to the ranking order of this first quarter of the 2024 World Championship, and it is already curious to note how only Red Bull maintains the same position in both years: first in 2023, the same today. Ferrari and McLaren both boasted an increase of two positions in the standings: from 4th to 2nd and from 5th to 3rd respectively. Mercedes loses one place, slipping to fourth place. Aston Martin actually loses three, from 2nd to 5th place.
Net of many other arguments, it is clear that Ferrari and McLaren are, to date, the two teams that have started better compared to the corresponding situations a year ago. But if the English team started from a depressing result after Miami a year ago (14 meager points, only three finishes in the top 10 in the race), the Maranello team boasts much more significant progress, with over 140% of points more than a year ago. And this explains better than many words the reasoning on which Fred Vasseur beats like a hammer in an attempt to explain what has changed, and above all what he still wants to change within the walls of the Reds.
The reasoning of the French team principal, in his first ‘real’ year with the Prancing Horse, i.e. the first showing a single-seater and a team he forged race after race, is very simple. It is not enough to think of having an F1 with better load and more response from the engine, even if this is a key point that allows (among other things) to fear less from possible strategic errors during a GP. It is also necessary not to lose points along the way, it is necessary to exploit every slightest chance, to collect the maximum of what the forces allow circuit by circuit, moment by moment.
To date, according to the points, this first part of the mission is accomplished, and the six podiums in as many races so far also underline this. Now Imola, with the long-awaited technical improvement package that the SF-24 brings to the track from today on the Santerno circuit. On Sunday evening we will know if this upward curve has changed its inclination. If he has made it upwards, then the Red fans will be able to start dreaming. Have your say.
