As know-it-all bloggers became increasingly cynical, Ferrari actually changed their livery for 2019.
Yes it’s not a huge change, and if we’re honest no one’s expecting it to be. The black was teased in some regard, but it’s not implemented in the best way. Black Mission Winnow turns, what already was an eyesore into an even worse spot on the car. Keep it white. It’s ironic the Ferrari title sponsor doesn’t pop as well as the Ray Ban on the car. If you wanted black on the car, have some sort of design, that isn’t half-arsed like the swoop at the rear, and keep the white Mission Winnow. I feel like I shouldn’t be telling Ferrari how to make the Mission Winnow more visible, especially when it’s such a God awful logo and name for a scheme. I take it back! The black hides it more so we don’t see it!
I can’t make what to think of the matte paint. I don’t think it was chosen to look nice, Ferrari believe it to be lighter. It’s also thought to provide some, slight aero benefit at least when Red Bull revealed their matte livery in 2016. It did look slightly orange under the launch lights, which is not a good look for Ferrari when the iconic scarlet car draws drivers and fans alike. Hopefully under lighter…light it looks less orange, like under natural mid-day conditions for example.
I actually like the front wing, the common design trope of having the first few elements in the primary colour and the rest in a secondary colour has worked well across the grid and this is no exception. I’m actually quite sad the rear wing isn’t as black. I think I’m just trying to look for change when it’s not happening. Maybe if they incorporated the black, with the carbon fibre under body as an odd to 2013 and 2014. But Ferrari’s will always have 95% red on the car so I’m going to shut up now, and not complain that an iconic car hasn’t changed enough.
New Kid on the Block
In an unusual move Maranello have decided to take a punt on youth. It’s a move they’ve not made since Massa joined the red team in 2006, even then Felipe had 3 years under his belt. I can imagine Leclerc’s was hard to ignore last season, and with missing out on 3 years of constructors’ titles (when they’ve made serious challlenges that is) it was not a too difficult decision to make. As I’ve already alluded to, two strong drivers in a Ferrari could easily expose Mercedes’ soft underbelly of Bottas and Hamilton. There were 161 points between the Merc drivers, whilst 70 between Kimi and Sebastian. If Leclerc can keep his almighty pace either this gap to Vettel decreases or he outperforms Vettel, and puts Hamilton under pressure. The result is the same, we should be going to Abu Dhabi with the constructors still in the balance, which should improve the show to say the least. Added to this, we know that Mercedes can be a little slow to react, or do extreme strategies when under serious pressure. Hopefully this year we get the title battles we’ve been robbed of the past 2 seasons.
I hope that Ferrari don’t hang Leclerc out to dry. Without taking this into account, I believe Leclerc will have a similar season to last. He’ll be trying too hard for the first few rounds then he’ll settle and be lightening fast. He may even get into the title battle but as I’ve already said experience will be the key to a close championship, such as the one we’re expecting this year. But I’m still joining the hype and saying Leclerc will win the Ferrari battle this year. He seems like the next big thing, and to get promoted to one of the world’s biggest brands after one season says something.
Having said that, Vettel will have a stronger season. I hoping Ferrari learn to keep cool publicly. Last year Vettel was under enormous pressure, and it showed at Hockenheim. Vettel still is a little rough around the edges in close situations. You could even argue he showed this as early as 2010, where he spun out of Korea if my memory serves me correctly? He got away with that, but Germany was the tipping point for last season, and he certainly didn’t get away with that. Vettel will be beaten this year, but not to the 2014 extent. I’ll be bold and say that the top 3 drivers will be covered by 50 points or so. Both Ferrari drivers will be up there with a car which if history’s to be trusted will be closer, if not faster than Mercedes. You can still never rule out a form Hamilton too.
You can probably guess that I’m saying the drivers and constructors will be split between the teams, and I’ll punt at a Ferrari constructors. The car will be fast but the drivers will lack that edge for this year. Leclerc will still impress and surpass Vettel but not as dramatically as people are making out. But it’s still only a prediction, completely ignoring testing times etc. and I’m just one lonely voice in the wilderness of the internet.
George Talks 