SUTTON
A new decade, a new chance, a new Ferrari?
The 2008 manufacturers’ crown seems a long time ago now. That’s the last occasion Ferrari won a Formula 1 title, and last season was another campaign of missed opportunities against Mercedes.
It’s true that, during its latest wait, Ferrari has generally been competitive – and narrowly could have won the drivers’ championship in 2010, 2012 and 2018 – but it’s now getting perilously close to the 16-year gap between its 1983 and 1999 constructors’ crowns.
That period did, however, act as a prelude to the team’s finest era of domination with Michael Schumacher. As Scott Mitchell shows on page 16, the team is again going through a change of approach. It’s not as significant as the one Ferrari experienced in the 1990s, but then it doesn’t need to be. The legendary Italian squad has produced good cars over the past three years – it’s lost out more through the apparently minor details that now make the difference at the front of F1. Its bosses have identified that, admitted to the problem and are seeking to change it. It can only be a good thing for F1 if they succeed because that is what is needed to challenge Mercedes, which is now arguably the greatest F1 team of all time.
The deal to keep Charles Leclerc until the end of 2024 is very much a sign of intent – along with Max Verstappen (who Red Bull has just confirmed for another four seasons), Leclerc is one of the drivers most likely to challenge Lewis Hamilton for his crown. How Sebastian Vettel reacts to Leclerc’s position – and the events of 2019 – should provide a fascinating subplot, but it will be more interesting if the two Ferraris are battling with Hamilton, not behind him.
Leclerc also leads a list of stars heading to Autosport International in Birmingham this week. Our guide starts on p34. See you there!
Kevin Turner Editor kevin.turner@autosport.com
NEXT WEEK 16 JANUARY Hamilton vs Schumacher,
plus all the highlights
from Autosport
International
COVER IMAGES Motorsport Images/Dunbar
PIT & PADDOCK 4 Leclerc and Verstappen get new deals 6 Mazda tops Daytona 24 Hours test 8 Meeke ready to look beyond the WRC 11 Sainz leads Dakar as Alonso hits trouble 13 Opinion: Kevin Turner 14 Opinion: Marcus Simmons 15 Feedback: your letters
INSIGHT 16 How Ferrari plans to strike back 24 Guerrieri: losing but winning 30 What is Extreme E?
AUTOSPORT SHOW PREVIEW 34 Autosport International introduction 36 Preview contents and show info 38 Rallying greats 43 Visions of motorsport in 2090 44 BTCC rising star: Jake Hill 48 How to find the key attractions 50 All the exhibitors
CLUB AUTOSPORT 62 Ace Ginetta team to Mini Challenge 64 Works Formula Junior Lotus returns 66 Opinion: Stephen Lickorish 67 National report: Mallory Park 68 Abbie Eaton’s new challenge
FINISHING STRAIGHT 70 What’s on this week 72 From the archive: 1962 Italian GP 74 Autosport 70: Lotus back on the up?
SUBSCRIPTION OFFER 42 Special deals for Autosport
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ENGINEERING SUPPLEMENT
Why some series are turning to hybrid power and the challenges of cutting carbon emissions are tackled this month.
9 JANUARY 2020 AUTOSPORT.COM 3
