Ferrari have completed the fire up of the all-new power unit set to run in their SF21 chassis this year, the unit roaring into life at the team’s Gestione Sportiva facility in Maranello.
Ferrari’s 2020 campaign was winless and their worst for 40 years. By their very high standards, it was a failure – and they’ve humbly accepted that. But amid a frustrating year, the Scuderia began putting the steps in place to right the wrongs, and with a fresh driver line-up, an all-new engine, and a revised aero package – the Prancing Horse is ready to fight back…
The prologue
It was a cold, crisp afternoon in February 2020 when the world’s Formula 1 media and distinguished guests descended on Reggio Emilia’s quaint old town. They were headed for the majestic Romolo Valli Municipal Theatre, a spectacular setting to unveil what was hoped to be a spectacular racing car, one which would carry Ferrari to their first World Championship in more than a decade.
Weug, 16, who was born in Spain to a Belgian mother and a Dutch father, beat out four other finalists – 17-year-old Doriane Pin of France, and Antonella Bassani (14) and Julia Ayoub (15), both from Brazil – to land the coveted spot in the FDA, which will see her competing in an F4 Championship season this year.
All four underwent a series of tests to assess not only their pure speed but also their potential, at an evaluation camp which took place last week at the Scuderia s headquarters in Maranello.
The process began with 20 drivers from five continents, before they were whittled down to a final four. And Weug, who tried a kart for the first time aged just seven – and who lists former FDA graduate Charles Leclerc as her favourite driver – eventually came out on top.
After the highs of 2019 – which saw him claim seven pole positions, and two victories – Charles Leclerc came back to Earth with a bump in 2020, with Ferrari struggling to provide the Monegasque with a competitive car. But despite that, Team Principal Mattia Binotto believed that Ferrari’s issues allowed Leclerc to demonstrate his qualities as a future team leader of the Scuderia.
Carlos Sainz was central to a round of driver transfers in 2020 that will see him join Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel part ways with the Scuderia for Aston Martin, and Daniel Ricciardo join McLaren in place of Sainz for 2021. But of that trio, it is only Sainz who may gain extra testing time with his new team before the new season starts.