As we approach the return of the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, the complexion of the Formula 1 season has shifted dramatically from the scene that was painted by the first three races of the year.
The early rumbles of the championship fight have been flipped upside down, while a pre-season aerodynamic concern is now set to force the FIA to step in and scrutinize car designs — less than halfway through the first season of new regulations introduced this year.
Where to begin…?
Ferrari Fumbling?
Through pre-season testing, no team took a stance of confidence in itsown pace or reliability.
When Ferrari topped the charts, Mattia Binotto was quick to clarify that Ferrari was on the outside looking in. Lando Norris likewise said that there wasn’t much truly representative on display when he topped the charts on day one of testing.
Ferrari then took a 1-2 finish in Bahrain while both McLarens finished outside the points.
Red Bull, the most notable thorn in Ferrari’s side, had to swallow a double retirement in Bahrain and a shock engine failure for Max Verstappen in Australia. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc danced into the distance with the title in sight.
Since Australia, Leclerc has only taken one podium finish in Miami and two retirements from the lead in Spain and Azerbaijan. His teammate, Carlos Sainz, has consistently finished around the back end of the podium or in the DNF column. No in between.
Since Australia, Verstappen has had a streak of five podium finishes and four wins. Teammate Sergio Perez has won the Monaco Grand Prix and taken three second-place finishes as well. Momentum has firmly shifted to Red Bull in terms of both reliability and race pace.
This is not unfamiliar for the Scuderia squad. Sebastian Vettel’s 2017 and 2018 title challenges unraveled just as much due to Ferrari’s mismanagement of race strategy and reliability as they did due to Vettel’s own performance.
Since their last constructors’ title in 2008, Ferrari has put together multiple championship caliber seasons. But not since 2012 has one of those seasons lasted into the final stages of the calendar.
Ferrari will have to stand in front of, and stop, the Red Bull train sooner rather than later if this season is to be one worth remembering for the Tifosi.
Last time out.
Speaking of Vettel, nobody made a bigger splash than the four time champ himself last time out in Canada.
Vettel’s 2019 campaign paled in comparison to his performances of 2017 and 2018….
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