F1: This Is Big Year For Ferrari, A Bad Year For AMG Mercedes

$FCAU, $RDS-A

Ferrari has not won the drivers’ or constructors’ championship in Formula 1 since Y 2008, but there is a small chance for the Scuderia to end the drought this season.

People close to the iconic Team believe it is on the right track to win both titles next season, especially given the improvements seen this season.

“Hand on heart, we are going in the right direction,” said Shell’s track side and logistics manager for the Ferrari team, Ian Albiston, Monday.

“If I look at the numbers that Ferrari are predicting to put in their hardware next year, power wise, it is going to be pretty darn close next year.”

Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE:RDS-A) has been a long-time partner of the Ferrari Formula 1 team, and has just signed a new 5-year partnership with Ferrari as an innovation partner.

While Mr. Albiston acknowledged that the sport’s most successful team have had a “steep learning curve” in their maiden season with turbo-charged V6 engines, down from the naturally aspirated V8 units previously, the Y 2015 season has shown both Ferrari and Shell that they are on the right track in terms of development.

Ferrari, owns 31 Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles since Y 1950, did not win a race last season and finished 4th in the Constructors’ standings, while Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton claimed the drivers’ title ahead of team-mate Nico Rosberg.

The German marque easily took home the Constructors’ title.

After taking Sebastian Vettel away from Red Bull, Ferrari have now broken Mercedes’ hold with wins in Malaysia, Hungary and Singapore by the German driving star, although the 4X World Champion is still 74 points aft of leader Lewis Hamilton, while Ferrari are 2nd in the Constructors’ race (270) behind Mercedes (451).

Ferrari is a unit of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, NV (NYSE:FCAU) and is preparing for an IPO in October on the NYSE.

Stay tuned, the Japanese Grand Prix is this weekend.

HeffX-LTN

Paul Ebeling

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