Ferrari has arguably the most extensive history to exist in Formula 1. The past decades illustrate some incredible ups and downs in their points and standings. For this reason, it was no surprise when Ferrari came back this season with a roaring car pushing their points count higher than it had been for a considerable amount of time. However, I don’t think many of us (dedicated Ferrari fans included) expected their come-back to be quite as strong as it was.
Last season Mercedes lead the championship from the very first lights out by quite a margin. It wasn’t expected that anyone would be able to quite catch them this year. Doubt and speculation proved no obstacle for Ferrari as they turned up in Melbourne on the tail of the Mercedes cars. Since the first race of the 2015 season both the Silver Arrows and the Red Horses have been battling for points and positions.
The drivers in the team seem to have bonded really well. The chemistry of drivers is often a cause for concern for some teams, especially in the event of a brand new driver. Four-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel is now halfway through his first season with the red team and I think it’s fair to say he is settling in rather smoothly. Both Raikkonen and Vettel are working well together. In my opinion, the two drivers have brought a new meaning to ‘team’ with Ferrari. Previously to this season it seemed the two halves of the Ferrari team were battling each other more than working together. This year feels different. It could be because, as I am sure you’re all aware, the two drivers have been friends for some years now, sharing friendly chats between events.
This teamwork feeling seems to have made its way into all aspects of the team as their pit crew, management, engineers and test driver stand before the podium, smiles spread across their faces and Italian flags in hand celebrating a win, together. Perhaps the reason this seems to have been absent in recent seasons is no more than their lack of podium finishes. The season still has a way to go but for now Ferrari is getting points, and they’re doing it as a team.
Sebastian Vettel: 160 Points – 3rd in the Drivers’ Championship
The German-born, four-time world champion is half way through his premiere season within Ferrari. So far he has out-performed his teammate on numerous occasions with two race wins already under his belt this season. This illustrates just how smoothly he has made the transition from his previous team Red Bull to his current team, Ferrari. The move was expected to come with more complications than it did, mostly because the German driver was so settled in his previous team. Perhaps the move was what he needed to begin standing on the podium again.
Vettel has settled in incredibly well and often displays the friendly relationship he shares with team principle Maurizio Arrivabene as they share celebratory hugs upon podium finishes. Ferrari and their fans have accepted this younger talent with open arms. If the team keep improving the pace of their car at the rate they are currently, we’ll have an incredible second half of the season to spectate.
Kimi Raikkonen: 76 Points – 5th in the Drivers’ Championship
This is Kimi Raikkonen’s second turn in Ferrari in his Formula 1 career. His first half of the season has had both its high points and low points. One thing that has been consistent about his results is that they have been lower than his teammate’s. Despite this, it is expected that the Finn will pull some incredible results out of the bag in the second half of his season. This is happy news to many of his fans as he is expected to announce his retirement towards the end of the season.
There are several drivers rumoured to be taking the sought after place in Ferrari ranging from test and development drivers Gutierrez and Vergne to developing talents such as Bottas. Although speculation continues (and will do so well into the second half of the season) one thing is for sure, should Kimi retire, whoever is chosen to fill his place has big boots to fill as you cannot deny Raikkonen’s talent, even throughout this challenging season.
