19 April 2026Racingnews365AnalysisDriver Ratings

Ferrari warned against repeating past 'fragile' mistakes in title bid

F1 analyst Karun Chandhok warns Ferrari must avoid the mistakes that derailed its 2022 title bid, where an initially fast car was undone by fragility and errors. He stresses that with its resources and drivers, the team has no excuse not to be in consistent championship contention, a status it has lacked since 2008.

Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok has cautioned Ferrari against repeating the same mistakes that derailed its 2022 title challenge, as the team continues its pursuit of a first championship in nearly two decades. Despite scoring podiums in the opening three races of 2024, Ferrari has lacked the pace to challenge the dominant Red Bull team, echoing a concerning pattern from the last major regulation change.

Why it matters:

Ferrari is F1's most iconic and historically successful team, with immense financial and technical resources. Its prolonged absence from championship contention—its last constructors' title was in 2008—is a major narrative in the sport. Understanding whether the team can learn from its recent past and build a consistently competitive car is crucial for the competitive health of F1 and the hopes of its global fanbase.

The Details:

Karun Chandhok highlighted Ferrari's performance trajectory in the last regulation cycle, which began in 2022. The team started strongly with the fastest car but failed to sustain its challenge.
He pointed to a combination of factors for the 2022 collapse: a car that was "a bit fragile," operational mistakes, and reliability issues that ultimately cost them.
Chandhok emphasized that Ferrari "just went backwards for the rest of that rule cycle," expressing hope the same pattern does not repeat with its 2024 car.
The analyst was blunt about Ferrari's potential, stating, "There's no reason why Ferrari shouldn't be winning more." He cited the team's "incredible drivers, an amazing budget, resources... They've got everything."
To underscore the length of the title drought, Chandhok noted the stark fact that "Brawn GP have won a world championship more recently than Ferrari," referencing the 2009 season.

The Big Picture:

Ferrari's current situation is a test of institutional learning and execution. The early promise of the 2022 season, which faded due to a combination of car fragility and strategic errors, serves as a direct blueprint of what to avoid. The team's challenge is now twofold: first, to develop the SF-24 to close the performance gap to Red Bull during this season, and second, to ensure its project for the next major regulation change in 2026 is robust and sustainable from the start. The pressure is immense, as the team's vast resources and legacy create an expectation that they should be perennial contenders, not sporadic challengers.