Charles Leclerc Hails Ferrari’s ‘Execution’ as the Highlight of 2024 Season

Charles Leclerc has singled out Ferrari’s execution of race weekends as the standout feature of their 2024 season, expressing pride in the team’s performance and progress throughout the year. The Monegasque driver is particularly pleased with how the team battled for the Constructors’ Championship until the very last race, despite a challenging start to the season.

After a difficult first half of the season, where the Ferrari team faced performance struggles, they turned things around in the latter half, demonstrating significant improvement and picking up pace. Leclerc credits this development to the collaborative efforts between Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello, himself, and teammate Carlos Sainz. As a result, the Scuderia managed to leapfrog Red Bull and challenge McLaren for the Constructors’ crown, with the battle going down to the wire in Abu Dhabi.

Ferrari’s Resilience and Improvement

Reflecting on Ferrari’s progress, Leclerc said, “I’m very happy because I think the first part of the season wasn’t easy. We were definitely not the fastest car. We were actually struggling for performance.” However, the team’s performance dramatically improved in the second half of the season, with Leclerc admitting that at some points, Ferrari was “probably the fastest car” on the grid. This resurgence was largely due to new upgrades that helped the car become more competitive.

The highlight of Ferrari’s 2024 season, according to Leclerc, has been their ability to execute race weekends effectively. The team’s consistent performances allowed them to remain in the hunt for the Constructors’ Championship up until the final race, a feat that Leclerc believes is a testament to the team’s resilience and hard work. “I think we’ve done a particularly good job,” Leclerc added, emphasizing his pride in the team’s achievements.

Focus on the Future: 2025 and Beyond

Looking ahead to 2025, Leclerc stressed that momentum alone won’t guarantee success for Ferrari. While the team has made significant strides over the last few seasons, particularly in 2023 and 2024, he emphasized the importance of staying focused during the off-season to avoid the pitfalls they experienced in previous years. “We’ve had quite a few examples, and we managed to pinpoint what went wrong in that winter break,” Leclerc said, referring to past struggles Ferrari faced at the start of seasons despite finishing strong.

Leclerc also acknowledged the team’s growth and how both he and Carlos Sainz have pushed Ferrari in the right direction. “We’ve grown a lot as a team, and I think we are in a very good place now,” he said. Despite narrowly missing out on the championship this year, Leclerc remains optimistic about Ferrari’s future and believes they are heading in the right direction.

Conclusion: Ferrari’s Bright Future

The 2024 season has been a significant step forward for Ferrari, showcasing their potential to compete at the top level once again. While they fell short of the ultimate goal this year, the team’s performance, particularly in the second half of the season, leaves Leclerc and the entire Scuderia with a sense of pride and optimism for what lies ahead. As they prepare for 2025, Ferrari will look to build on the foundation laid in 2024 and push towards a championship-winning season.

Leclerc’s reflections offer a glimpse into Ferrari’s renewed confidence and ambition, with the driver hoping that their recent progress will help them rise to the challenge in the upcoming seasons.