Ferrari: The decline continues as its 1000th Grand Prix in F1 approaches
It's a wounded Scuderia Ferrari that will arrive this weekend at Mugello. It will still attempt to celebrate its 1000th Grand Prix in Formula 1.
« I think this year is very different and I believe in this respect it was probably a good thing that there were no fans. » These are the words spoken by Sebastian Vettel after an Italian Grand Prix, which saw no red car cross the finish line.
It is in a more than complicated context that the prancing horse team will set down its suitcases at Mugello, a situation that was known to be difficult but seems to worsen each weekend. If, during the qualifications, no one was surprised to see the first SF1000 in 13th position, however not seeing any at the finish surely surprised many.
Sebastian Vettel’s ordeal lasted no more than eight laps, due to the explosion of his left rear brake. « In fact, it’s the worst thing, but at least it probably happened in the best place. If it had happened anywhere else, it wouldn’t have been the same. I totally lost pressure on the pedal and went straight. »
For Charles Leclerc, the race abruptly ended at the start of the 25th lap, into the tires of the Parabolica while he was in 5th position. The retirement of Ferrari number 16 occurred just as every driver could hope to take advantage of the penalty received by Lewis Hamilton.
After a challenging race weekend in Belgium, it was on home ground that the Scuderia ultimately hit rock bottom. “It was definitely tough for all of us because our main concern was with the car and the race, especially racing at Monza. But we have to keep our heads up, look towards next week, and seek the positive even if there is little,” stated Sebastian Vettel.
The positive for the Scuderia will be celebrating their 1000th participation in a Formula 1 World Championship event. Even though the current context offers little to celebrate, the SF1000 will sport a special and retro livery on this occasion. Indeed, the red of the Ferrari will be darker and closer to the red worn by the 1950 Ferrari at the Monaco Grand Prix.
It is therefore an injured Prancing Horse that, failing to secure a victory, will try not to disappoint the tifosi, who will be present on the circuit this time.
