Ferrari, the oldest and one of the most successful Formula 1 teams, is steeped in tradition. The team were increasingly desperate to claim another world title – which 1999 in some measure fulfilled, with the first constructors' title since 1983. However, the drivers’ championship still eludes the Scuderia, and though the talents of Michael Schumacher had made this dream seem closer, mistakes by the German have generally snatched the title away at the last. Finally in 2000 he was sucessful.
Some of the top names of F1, including Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Mike Hawthorn, Phil Hill, John Surtees, Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter, Gerhard Berger, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Gilles Villeneuve have all been associated with the marque.
Team founder Enzo Ferrari initially ran cars for Alfa Romeo, but, after World War II, his racers bore the Ferrari name. The marque's first grand prix success came in 1951, and the wins have piled up ever since, with the odd super-successful season punctuated by too many when the red cars have not fulfilled their potential.
Ferrari last won the title in 1979, although Gilles Villeneuve would surely have been champion in 1982 but for the tragic events at Imola and Zolder. After the death of Enzo Ferrari in 1988, a new management team took Ferrari back to the front for a couple of seasons, but after challenging for the 1990 title, things went rapidly downhill.
After several lean years, ex-Peugeot man Jean Todt was hired to bring some order to the team. The lack of results continued, but Todt steadily brought together the pieces that would transform Ferrari back to a dominant force.
For 1996, the team acquired the services of the world’s leading driver, Michael Schumacher, but poor mid-season reliability meant it was unable to challenge for the title. Brilliant driving by Schumacher at a drenched Spanish Grand Prix, and victories on merit at Spa and Monza meant that the team looked positively towards 1997.
For much of the season it looked like the consistent Schumacher would capitalise on Jacques Villeneuve’s problems and take the title, but Ferrari suffered a slump in form in the closing races, creating a championship showdown at Jerez. Surprisingly, Ferrari’s German genius cracked under the pressure and drove into Villeneuve, losing the title and ultimately getting himself excluded from the championship.
Schumacher's tactics again caused controversy in 1999, but he also put in some inspired drives. The result was another title showdown in the last round, but Schumacher handed the title to McLaren’s Mika Hakkinen when he stalled on the grid.
Once again Schumacher failed to capitalise on his rivals’ misfortunes when he put himself out of the running by crashing at Silverstone. The baton was passed to number two driver Eddie Irvine. The team courted further controversy when it was excluded from the results in Malaysia over illegal barge boards. A fudged decision allowed Ferrari back into the championship – a move by the FIA which left a bad taste in most mouths. The verdict was explained, but the FIA were unable to remove suspicions of bias towards Ferrari.
In 2000, they had their best yet chance of returning to former glories, Rubens Barrichello joined the team.
2000 Result - First in Constructors' Championship with 170 points. Michael Schumacher nine wins & Rubens Barrichello one win.
2001 Line-up
- Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello. Test Driver Luca Badoar