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After a disastrous 2014 season, Ferrari has bounced back and is now regularly fighting for podium finishes and victories alongside Mercedes, which dominates the championship. The Scuderia's extensive restructuring is already bearing fruit.
Ferrari has long been accustomed to crisis mode. The mystique surrounding the Italian brand means that even a small mistake—no podium, no victory—can quickly turn into a real ordeal. Since Kimi Raikkonen won the drivers' championship in 2007, the Scuderia has been searching for a personality capable of bringing it back to the top. For five seasons, it placed its hopes in Fernando Alonso, but a series of poor strategic decisions and the Spaniard's domineering temperament ultimately derailed the project. Today, with Sebastian Vettel at the wheel, the Prancing Horse seems to be experiencing a revival. The overhaul has been profound, both technically and managerially. The arrival of Maurizio Arrivabene has been instrumental in this new beginning; his charisma and F1 expertise have helped to create a more family-like atmosphere that had been lacking for years. The recent extension of Kimi Raikkonen's contract for next season underscores Arrivabene's desire to create a true team spirit, relying on the last world champion as a symbolic figurehead.
While Alonso seemed to dominate the narrative, Vettel, like Schumacher in his prime, quickly understood that the Ferrari badge trumped any individual ego. His brief remarks in Italian after races illustrate his willingness to integrate himself into the fabric of the team.
Credit is also due to James Allison, the technical director of this new era. Despite a noticeable power deficit in the engine, he has designed a well-balanced and well-engineered car that allows drivers to attack without fear of reprisals. The SF15-T may not be the most aerodynamically efficient machine, but its neutral handling makes it very enjoyable to drive. After rebuilding itself practically from scratch, Ferrari can look back on a decidedly positive first half of the season. While it would be unrealistic to expect Vettel and Raikkonen to consistently outperform Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's Mercedes, the duo has seized every opportunity that has come their way, restoring confidence to the entire team in remarkably quick fashion.
