RED SCARE

The most recognizable car in Formula One HASN'T WON A TITLE SINCE 2008. BUT TWO SURGING DRIVERS HAVE FERRARI CONFIDENT THE PRANCING HORSE WILL GIVE THE CHAMPS PLENTY EPSON IWC TIBCO TC TO THINK ABOUT

- MADELINE COLEMAN

THE SOUND OF camera clicks echoed off the pavement at the Circuit of the Americas' paddock last October, photographers hoping to snag a shot of the 20 drivers, 10 teams and slew of junior drivers present.

Some sought the perfect angle outside of the garages as team members darted back and forth to their hospitality suites, while others waited for the drivers to emerge onto the patios. Whenever a driver stepped out of the hospitality area, they were swarmed.

Standing on a patio, Carlos Sainz (far right) gave a knowing look when asked whether he ever adjusts to the photographers. He says it's something you get used to over time, but days like this "are just super hectic." It comes with the territory of being a member of the most storied team in the sport's history.

For seven decades, people have been drawn to the team. Charles Leclerc (near right) remembers watching the Monaco Grand Prix as a 3- or 4-year-old from his best friend's balcony. As the cars zipped through the narrow streets below, his eye was drawn to one thing: "For me, it was all about the red car."

He didn't know who was driving-it happened to be seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher-or even that it was a Ferrari. He was just pulled in by the vibrant color that symbolizes passion and courage. That was no accident; team founder Enzo Ferrari once famously said, "Ask a child to draw a car, and certainly he will draw it red."

Two decades later Leclerc drives for Ferrari, and his fellow driver also has early memories of the team. "If you remember your car when you were little, you remember a red car, which shows how big is Ferrari," says Sainz. "You end up knowing... red means Ferrari, and Ferrari means red."