July 2004. Ferrari and Michael Schumacher have won 10 of an optimum 11 races on the way to their sixth and fifth consecutive titles respectively.
July 2014. Ferrari has one podium from nine events, lying third in the standings by the skin of their teeth.
The team principal and engine chief are gone, while speculation is rampant that one or both of their world champion drivers won’t remain next season.
Ferrari can boast two constructors and a drivers title since that imperious campaign a decade ago, though it is hard to escape the notion that the prancing horse has been in decline since Schumacher departed, not entirely by his own choosing, at the conclusion of 2006.
With the German’s exit, the off-track triumvirate as pivotal to implementing the successful regime as Schumacher went their separate ways. Technical guru Ross Brawn entered a sabbatical, returning to the sport with Honda, car designer Rory Byrne took a step back, and team principal Jean Todt handed over responsibilities 12 months later.
Schumacher is German, Brawn is British, Byrne is South African and Todt is French. You couldn’t have dreamed of a more diverse combination.
Their respective replacements certainly haven’t wanted for passion, but led to a narrow philosophy, loath to deviation from a set path, leaving little room for contingency. This season Ferrari are as close to the shambles they represented in the pre-Schumacher era.
Fernando Alonso continues to flatter a package which, by rights, shouldn’t be anywhere near the top three. Yet, he depicts an individual who has given up on the dream of becoming a Ferrari world champion, following three runner-up placings in four seasons, two of which were near misses.
The 33-year-old cannot be blamed for considering his options, even if he won’t admit as much. Schumacher claimed his first Ferrari title in his fourth complete campaign. Alonso is midway through his fifth, but doesn’t appear any closer to a breakthrough, despite giving as much to the cause. As such, if it comes to pass that the Spaniard returns to McLaren, he stands to lose little.
Kimi Räikkönen has been at sea for the duration of his second stint at Maranello. He has never looked like troubling the top five, much less challenging Alonso. He has come under intense criticism in recent weeks for his Silverstone accident, which could be attested to his growing desperation to achieve a decent result.
It would be no great surprise to see the Finn depart once again at season’s end, and while his 2007 title during his first season with the team remains the most recent for a Ferrari driver, it is becoming rapidly apparent this was the best we have seen of the 34-year-old. Though the F14T’s glaring deficiencies must inherit a portion of the blame for his woes, the second half of his campaign will determine his future.
Rory Byrne returned to the fold last season to combat the new regulations, yet he hasn’t been able to work his magic on the F14T. He must be given the benefit of another campaign to produce a competitive package, while significant improvements to the powertrain are just as vital as the design.
Briton James Allison, another invaluable member of the 2000-2004 dynasty, returned from Lotus at the end of last season, too late to implement any significant bearing on this year’s challenge. Thus, his input can’t be truly measured until 2015, and it could even be 2016 before his work comes to fruition.
There have been calls for Ross Brawn to make a comeback, this time as Team Principal following his stint at Honda/Brawn/Mercedes. A legitimate case can be put forward that much of the Ferrari 2002 and 2004 style success which Mercedes currently enjoys is courtesy of Brawn’s and, to a lesser extent, Schumacher’s efforts throughout the past four seasons.
Whether he’d want to return to the coalface is another question, he’s already achieved so much, but there’s no denying Ferrari would be immeasurably improved for his presence in any capacity.
The outspoken president, Luca di Montezemolo, steps up his rhetoric in opposition of the current regulations on an almost monthly basis, relentlessly pushing for three-car outfits, and recently floating the idea of a switch to LMP1. One has to wonder if there would be any such noise if Ferrari were in the position they enjoyed a decade ago.
Focusing all resources towards a concerted tilt at the title should be priority number one, and this means implementing whichever measures are necessary. Whether this fails or succeeds, they can console themselves with the knowledge they gave it their best shot, but throwing the toys out of the pram when another organisation is reaping the rewards of doing a better job reeks of petulance.
As somebody who grew up on routine Ferrari triumphs, it’s hard to watch the current iteration, constantly questioning what they stand for. At the moment they are a shell living in the shadow of past glories.
You can’t be in Formula One and expect to win simply through stamping your feet. Sooner or later, the realisation must dawn that actions speak far louder than words.
Daniel Bradley
Roar Rookie
Speaking of Kimi Raikkonen, he's apparently announced that he will retire from Formula 1 after the 2015 season. But speaking of Ferrari, the FIA have certainly stopped their success with the changes in regulations regarding testing, tyres and engines etc. They, along with McLaren, have certainly not been "with the times" which is why they've been hurting badly behind Red Bull and Mercedes. I think Ferrari's biggest woes have certainly been from a management perspective. When Jean Todt arrived at Ferrari in 1993, he had previously been the team principal with the Peugeot Le Mans team whilst Stefano Domenicali, who had been at Ferrari for a long time, mainly spent his time being the sporting and operations manager along with being race engineer during Schumacher's early years at Ferrari I believe. It's become obvious that maybe the lack of management experience from Domenicali and Mattiaci, the current team principal at Ferrari, could be why they are heading towards the wrong direction in terms of performance and results. Ferrari's package in the last couple of years has been somewhat sub-par and it's obvious that this has been affecting their results. I'm surprised Alonso has continued to commit himself to Ferrari but I think he will be changing teams by 2016, either to McLaren or somewhere else. Maybe, Ferrari and McLaren should take a look at Williams' approach this season since they have been the surprise package this season considering that they dropped off from their glory days like what is currently happening to Ferrari and McLaren.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
They actually did most of their testing at Mugello, hence why for years the MotoGP riders complained that the surface was too bumpy. Fiorano is mainly used for Ferrari video days svd testing their road cars.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
Yes you're right, as big as Ferrari are, Bernie is ultimately the one calling the shots, so a gentle reminder as far as Bernie is concerned - i.e. threatening to drop a race, isn't the worst thing that could happen. If it sparks a turnaround, which Bernie wants, using his renowned reverse psychology, then everybody wins!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
That's why when you speak to really, really dedicated fans of the sport and indeed Ferrari they will always adapt to whatever new things there in F1. I was referring to Bernie, but now that you mention Luca I agree that they're both indeed very authoritative in that manner.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
There's no doubting F1's immense power as a selling chip - there are lots of people saying that the new regulations have dropped F1 below LMP1 as the pinnacle of motorsport, but it's going to take a lot more for that notion to have any credibility. The atmosphere associated with F1 is something unique and almost untouchable, anywhere, it's on a completely different platform. To that degree, Ferrari and its' legion of fans are the same, they turn up rain, hail or shine, part of the lifeblood of the sport, almost as invaluable as the company itself, Luca, I assume you are referring to? He definitely isn't afraid to show who the boss is when he sees fit. Nor is Bernie for that matter, they're kindred spirits in that respect!
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
It can't have hurt!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
They definitely need to have their presence in the motoring industry felt and F1 is still the pinnacle of that industry. And also the Ferrari fans, whatever race on the calender they go to, they are very passionate about the Prancing Horse. It could also serve as a wake up call to some parties too and in a way it could be a message to people saying that he still has the authority.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
A lot of people, as Mark alluded to in his comment, weigh up the "does F1 need Ferrari" or "do Ferrari need F1" debate - Joe Saward for one, is firmly in the latter camp, but there's no doubting their presence brings a lustre which the sport would be lacking otherwise, irrespective of their competitiveness. The old dump threat by Bernard usually does the trick in getting his way - but we're talking about Monza, there's no chance such a fabled venue would end up off the calendar, they'll come to an agreement, whichever compromises it requires. Sadly, everything is TV, revenue driven for Bernie, they are his true audience - wherever a dollar can be made, not the supporters themselves.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Not to mention also they had their own in-house test track (Fiorano) as well.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Exactly, having a competitive Ferrari team is good for the sport. As you'd already know, Bernie wants to dump Monza off the calendar and he says its due to lack of TV ratings in Italy. We all know who the Italians support.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
No doubt the bespoke tyres and tailor made testing played a large role, but the right people had to be in place to make it all happen. And they were content to spare no expense towards their efforts, it paid off, so kudos to them!
Frankie Hughes
Guest
The Schumacher era was dominated by custom Bridgestone tyres. Bridgestone made the tyres to suit Ferrari. Plus unlimited in season testing. Ferrari used to do thousands of miles at Mugello every season. Throw in the unlimited finance Ferrari where using it's not surprising that they dominated.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
Indeed Jawad, if they are to wipe the slate clean, any rebuild will take years. It took Schumacher and his lieutenants four to five seasons to transform the organisation from basket case to world beaters, then to sustain that dominance for the best part of a decade, you need the right people and the right processes in place. Even the minor things being a little out of place can have a huge impact on fortunes. That's what was so clinical about the Schumacher era - everybody was in sync, it all ran like clockwork and they duly reaped the rewards, even if a few concessions arguably did go their way! Having a competitive Ferrari is good for F1, and great for Bernie, but right now, they look listless.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
All really good points Bayden. One things also that tends to crop up immediately whenever I'm discussing Ferrari with someone, is the team culture and that too has an impact on how things work within the team. Ferrari are traditionalists and rather than moving on into the future, they as you rightly put it, are in opposition to new regulations most of the time. Maybe their F1 team should have a look at what their road car division is doing that they aren't, because it seems they are having better success on the road with the 458, California and now the LaFerrari models than they are on track. Either way it won't be an overnight fix and there will need to be drastic restructures management wise if they are to move forward.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
Thanks Mark, it's really hard to think ten years ago, Ferrari's domination led to the regulation upheaval, whilst it bring them back into the pack, they were still competitive. Now you couldn't say where the next victory will come from. A fair point about the car, it could be a world beater, but if you haven't got the right people there in the right mindset, they can't fulfil the true potential. The Schumacher era really does stand out as something special considering their form on either side of his tenure, having the Brawn's, Byrne's and Todt's in place to do what is necessary to go all the way, it was a once in a generation unification of great minds. That said Alonso is regularly a top-five runner this season, but if he was 110% hell bent on success, he'd be on the podium every race since he's that great. You could see in his battle with Vettel at Silverstone the fire had returned from competing with the man who denied him on so many occasions in recent years. It's likely the effect of the past four seasons, toiling away for no reward, has simply worn him down. For that, he could benefit from a change of scenery, it might be beneficial to both parties. The less said about Kimi to date, the better, but there must still be hope of a revival in the second half of the season. Cheers for the encouragement re-marathon piece, glad you enjoyed it!
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
It's their unwillingness to consider all options which could lead them back to the front, instead just complaining - Montezemolo on their behalf, as long as they're not winning.
Mark Young
Roar Guru
Nice work Bayden, an eloquent summary of Ferrari's woes. You have really put the shock in perspective by comparing the total dominance of ten years ago with the mediocrity you can see now. Can I suggest that what we have at the moment is not actually a problem for Ferrari. This is normal situation, a good car but not the best and instability behind the scenes. Ferrari has had three great periods in the past forty years. Mid 70s, driven by Lauda, Early 90s driven by Barnard, Prost and Mansell and the 2000s with Michael, Ross, Rory and Jean. That is it. Otherwise, they have generally been a step behind the British teams, capable of good performances but not leaders of the pack. The current woes began when Ross and Michael left, the be replaced by Stefano and Kimi. Both good performers, but neither the equal of their predecessors. There have been a range of interesting articles on Pitpass about whether F1 needs Ferrari or visa Versa. Well worth checking out if you haven’t yet. Also I just commented FINALLY on your excellent marathon retrospective. So head over there when you want a back slap!
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Ferrari have had an aero problem since the rules changed in 2005. But they compensated for this by having the most powerful engine in 2006-08. Rules changed in 2009, double diffuser. They lost the plot. Now the engines average. They are totally lost. As for Kimi, 2007 wasn't his best, but for bad luck he would've won the 2003 and 2005 WDCs.