Ferrari arrives at the Italian Grand Prix with a mix of questions, pressure, and the heavy weight of a famous nickname that still follows the team. Carlos Sainz carries himself with a measured confidence in public, yet behind the calm demeanor there are doubts about the package and the performance that have kept the Scuderia from reaching the heights seen last season. Alongside him, Charles Leclerc entered Monza with a resolve forged in competitive battles from the year prior, but the team has only a handful of podiums to show for its efforts as Maranello sits fourth in the constructors’ standings as the campaign unfolds.
He doesn’t pretend to know all the answers. In a year where results swing unpredictably, Sainz stresses that a single tenth of a car will not decide a podium and then vanish. He hopes the team will find steadier footing for Spa and Austria rather than a repeat of the volatility experienced at Zandvoort, a sentiment he shared upon arriving at the track.
The conversations within the Ferrari garage already point toward the next chapter. There is a clear understanding of what must be introduced in the 2024 car and which features are prioritized. The path to that future has involved disciplined simulation work, wind tunnel testing, and even brief pauses in free practice to refine car behavior. The plan is to use the second half of the year as a testing ground for components destined for the next generation of Ferrari machinery. It is a difficult pivot, requiring decisive shifts in direction, but the team is prepared to push changes and learn as much as possible to apply to the next car.
Despite the uphill battle, the mood remains defiant. The objective is to close the gap to competitors like Mercedes and Aston Martin and to resume a charge toward the top of the standings. It is understood that this year has delivered its share of challenges, from the car’s uncertain grip on certain surfaces to the windy sections and long corners that complicate setup choices. Tire behavior has also been a factor, yet the engineers believe the team has identified the glitches and is ready to tighten the overall package for the future.
Back in Monza for the third year in a row, the Ferrari camp acknowledges the unique thrill of racing in front of a passionate crowd. Being a Ferrari driver at Monza carries a special rush, a moment that drivers savor while maintaining focus on delivering peak performance. Even if the weekend’s results do not place the car at the very front, the fight at the top remains within reach. The true test will come from the pace shown by rivals who have demonstrated consistent speed and resilience throughout the season, challenging the red cars to keep pushing toward better performances with every lap.