Ferrari, 2017 isn't over yet: four races and four "goals" to achieve...

The main objective, more correctly the dream, seems to have finally disappeared, at least it has been postponed by a year, due to the sadly well-known Singapore-Malaysia-Suzuka triptych. But for the great Ferrari which still scared and put Mercedes into crisis, it is not yet time to throw in the towel, to go on holiday or rather to think about 2018.

I'm not referring to an unlikely world championship return - with poor Vettel who would have to rely on all the saints to recover exactly fifteen points from Hamilton in each of the remaining four GPs - but rather to a path of growth and development that must absolutely be intensified in the last races .

A great workout, which also serves as confirmation, to show up even stronger at the next starting line. Four GPs with four specific objectives, listed below. On the other hand, there is an old adage according to which to understand the upcoming world championship you need to analyze the last races of the previous one.

WIN. Because ultimately, winning helps you win, it benefits self-esteem, it undermines the certainties of even the most fierce and difficult rivals, it is a strong act of presence. The brilliant SF70H – despite a few problems with the engine – proved to be an effective and very fast single-seater (almost) everywhere. The team-driver-car package seems to deserve something more than the four "stage" victories achieved so far and a hungry champion like Vettel is a guarantee from this point of view.

RELIABILITY'. Between candles, candles and prayers, it is the team's priority to avoid (and do so as soon as possible) five-cylinder starts or missed starts. These are images that do not do credit either to the tradition of the Cavallino or to a season experienced by absolute protagonists. From the story of quality control to the more intriguing one of an evolutionary step of the engine that turned out to be wrong, Ferrari must remedy the flaw as soon as possible, also and above all with a view to 2018. It may happen that you stumble, but a persistent design flaw would ruin the environment in chaos. To be exorcised as soon as possible.

PERFORMANCE OVERTAKING. Four more races, plenty of time to turn left and fly, taking with you a bit of the (painted) Mercedes livery as a scalp. There is a desire and eagerness to take revenge at least in terms of performance, to scare the Anglo-Germans again and again, to go back to being those of Singapore, Malaysia, versatile and indomitable. It's a sport of speed, and finishing the world championship with the fastest car on the track would be the perfect way to ruin the Christmas holidays for the reigning champions Mercedes.

RAIKKONEN. The die is cast. Ferrari has chosen internal stability, confirming its loyal world champion on the sunset again next year. Kimi, for his part, responded in an erratic way, alternating races from champions to others on the sly. The slight decline in the latest releases (Italy and Japan, between two blows) has brought old and tiresome controversies back into the news. The Finn has four races to make his weight felt, to send a signal, and to ensure that his season is not branded as anonymous.

Antonino Rendina

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