Ex-F1 World Champion Mario Andretti claims Ferrari is showing “good signs” of fighting for the title soon

Ferrari secured a 1-2 finish at the Australian Grand Prix.

Ex-F1 World Champion Mario Andretti claims Ferrari is showing “good signs” of fighting for the title soon

Mario Andretti and Carlos Sainz (Via: Imago)

Ferrari has been on a strong run of form since the opening round of the 2024 season. The prancing horses have been deemed as being the best of the rest behind the Red Bulls. However, the team was on par with the Austrian giant in Australia and claimed a 1-2 finish. Subsequently, former F1 world champion, Mario Andretti has praised the team to have worked on their weaknesses and reckons that Ferrari could win another championship in the coming years.

Ferrari began the season with a pair of podiums at the hands of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. However, things took a turn for the good, as in the third race of the season, a returning Sainz bagged Ferrari’s first win since Singapore last year. The step-up in performance was applauded by several F1 drivers and experts throughout the paddock.

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Following the race, Mario Andretti praised the Italian outfit.

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A result like this is not just a one-off, in practice and qualifying, Ferrari was already fast [in Melbourne]. They did everything right from Friday and it was nice to see Carlos[Sainz] at 100% after the operation, they can compete with anyone. Ferrari has moved closer. It will be very interesting to see the remainder of the season, but I have seen good signs.

Mario Andretti said in an interview with Gazzetta Della Sport

The former world champion elaborated that the win in Australia was not a one-off as many might suggest. Moreover, they were already the benchmark in Melbourne and have shown promising signs of returning to the step again. Ferrari’s recent outing has set the precedent for the coming years, and the Italian-American will be following the team’s progress quite closely.

Toto Wolff claims Ferrari deserved to win in Australia

Ferrari’s triumph in Australia marked the team’s first 1-2 finish in Melbourne since the championship-winning 2004 year. Furthermore, the drivers and a few other prominent personalities were happy to see the scarlet red returning to the top step of the podium. One such person was Toto Wolff, who was happy for the Scuderia and Fred Vasseur.

Toto Wolff and Fred Vasseur
Toto Wolff and Fred Vasseur (Credits: Sports.de)

The Ferrari F1 team exceeded expectations at the Australian GP.

First of all, I'm happy for Ferrari. I'm happy for Fred[Vasseur]. He deserves that.
Last year, we were flying together and on the flight, Dubai to Melbourne [with] Emirates, he had a disc [in his spine] that jumped out and he couldn't sit or sleep. He was standing in the aeroplane for 13 hours. Then, one of his cars crashed out and the other one finished P4, and it looked disastrous. He had the pressure for all of Italy and now he's had a 1-2.
Toto Wolff said in an interview with Motorsport

The Mercedes boss shared an incident from last year when he and Vasseur were on a flight to Melbourne. At that time, the 55-year-old was suffering from a medical problem and had to stand the whole way through the fight. So when the chequered flag was waved at Albert Park, Wolff was one of the happiest people on the grid for Vassuer, he saw the Frenchman’s struggles to take his team to its current position.

Ferrari is currently second in the constructor standings, just four points behind the mighty Red Bull. After Melbourne, Leclerc has pipped Sergio Perez in the drivers’ standings for second place. The upcoming Japanese GP could once again change the order depending on the outings of the Red Bull and Ferrari drivers.

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