Scuderia Ferrari is gearing up for what guarantees to be one of the vital thrilling System 1 seasons in current reminiscence, as Lewis Hamilton will get set to make his debut with the legendary workforce. Group boss Fred Vasseur is undoubtedly hoping that the pairing of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will lastly deliver an finish to Ferrari’s 17-year championship drought. The British driver’s profession in F1 is unequalled, with solely Michael Schumacher having gained as many Drivers’ Championships as Ferrari’s latest recruit.
Charles Leclerc additionally enters the brand new season with immense expectations, significantly after what many take into account to be his finest season in System 1 but, regardless of ending third within the championship standings. There may be rising sentiment {that a} Lewis Hamilton – Charles Leclerc partnership might symbolize Ferrari’s strongest driver pairing in many years, although it’s tough to miss the legendary figures of Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, who set the fashionable normal for Ferrari drivers.
In a current interview on *The Purple Flags Podcast*, Rob Smedley supplied an apology to Fernando Alonso, expressing remorse that the workforce was by no means in a position to present him with a automobile able to successful the championship, even when he was on the peak of his profession. Throughout his tenure as a race engineer at Ferrari, Rob Smedley mirrored on what set the German and the Spaniard aside from different drivers he labored with, highlighting the distinctive efficiency knowledge that each drivers delivered whereas racing for the Scuderia.
The driving knowledge from each Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso throughout their time at Ferrari was described as “otherworldly,” underscoring their unmatched potential to extract each little bit of efficiency from the automobile.
Rob Smedley was requested concerning the German driver’s telemetry throughout his time at Ferrari and defined that it was vital to map what needs to be anticipated in a driver’s knowledge, figuring out the place sure efficiency ranges ought to seem and the way they need to look. He famous that each Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso had been distinctive of their potential to drive the automobile, highlighting how shut they might push it to its restrict. Nonetheless, this was not all the time the case, because it was sometimes an important day once they might attain the sting of adhesion. The previous Ferrari race engineer talked about that in some situations, telemetry would reveal that drivers nonetheless had extra grip obtainable and will go quicker, however this was normally because of the pure margin drivers keep, contemplating the excessive speeds at which they had been driving, the place even a small mistake might have catastrophic penalties. Smedley emphasised that each Schumacher and Alonso usually drove on the very restrict of grip, with any slight mistake resulting in a major lack of management. He praised Michael Schumacher’s distinctive hand-feet coordination and his exceptional really feel for the automobile, describing his talents as “otherworldly” at instances.
Fernando Alonso is decided to safe one closing System 1 championship victory earlier than he hangs up his helmet for good. Whereas his file with Ferrari could not match the extraordinary achievements of Michael Schumacher, there may be little doubt that Alonso was one of many quickest drivers on the grid between 2010 and 2013.
Throughout these years, the Spaniard completed as runner-up to Sebastian Vettel thrice, showcasing his velocity and ability, although in the end falling in need of the title. Afterward, he moved to McLaren for a second stint, which sadly proved to be one other disappointing marketing campaign with the workforce.
On the age of 44, Alonso will enter the 2025 F1 season, however he stays sensible about his probabilities of including to his spectacular tally of 32 race victories. Nonetheless, Aston Martin, with whom he has teamed up, have their sights set on a extra promising future. The workforce is especially optimistic about their prospects for 2026, when main regulatory adjustments will reshape the game, and the strategic choices they’ve made—together with the signings of famend figures like Adrian Newey, Enrico Cardile, and the partnership with Honda as their unique energy unit provider—are anticipated to deliver vital advantages.
Fernando Alonso could properly select to retire on the finish of the 2026 season, giving him only one extra yr to chase a 3rd world championship so as to add to his two titles. Ought to he stay on the entrance of the grid, his huge expertise will undoubtedly play a pivotal function, particularly if Aston Martin can present him with a aggressive automobile able to difficult for race wins.
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