Ferrari, after a very long time, has lastly proven the potential to win the title if it continues down this path. The frustration of dropping to McLaren by simply 14 factors was rapidly overshadowed by a way of hope and pleasure for the long run.
Group Principal Fred Vasseur was in nice spirits as he welcomed a gaggle of worldwide media to an occasion house overlooking Ferrari’s beautiful Fiorano take a look at monitor throughout the workforce’s conventional Christmas lunch.
Thought-about probably the most difficult job within the sport, the stress on the shoulders of the individual main Formulation 1’s most well-known workforce is big, however Fred Vasseur has taken on the position with exceptional ease.
It’s, after all, nonetheless early days. That is solely the second yr of what he and Ferrari hope shall be a long-term collaboration, however the indicators from this season are optimistic.
Fred Vasseur is an extremely likable determine, with a powerful capacity to defuse tense conditions along with his dry humorousness. To this point, this technique has labored very nicely in Maranello, as has his all-encompassing method to the job and a administration model that enables his staff to take dangers with out worry of punishment.
The purpose has not been achieved—removed from it. After all, bringing the championship again to Italy is the intention, however what the Scuderia actually needs is the beginning of a brand new successful cycle, just like the one skilled between 2000-2004 with Michael Schumacher or the dominance loved by Crimson Bull and Mercedes over the previous 20 years. However, he’s glad with the progress made to date. “It was season for us, definitely with ups and downs like everybody else, however with extra ups than downs,” he says, as we sit down for a one-on-one chat in a gorgeous constructing a stone’s throw from the house of founder Enzo Ferrari. “It was an excellent season in comparison with 2023.”
“We’re on track. We have now improved in each single pillar of efficiency: reliability, technique, pit stops, pure efficiency. Concerning the KPIs, we achieved 5 wins in comparison with one, and when it comes to factors, we scored 60% extra in 2024 than in 2023.”
“All the pieces goes in the correct course. We missed the ultimate step, however once we went to Abu Dhabi, the proportion probability of successful was very low. After Saturday, it was even decrease. It’s true that after the second or third lap, I believed, ‘Ah, the planets are nearly aligned now, let’s push.’ But it surely wasn’t in Abu Dhabi the place we fell quick. Abu Dhabi was occasion; it was extra in Canada the place we had a double zero or throughout the summer time the place one thing was missing.”
Ferrari responded nicely to the mid-season stoop and completed the season on an extremely optimistic observe, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc each making the rostrum in Abu Dhabi. Total, it was a big step ahead.
This yr, Ferrari was solely 14 factors behind the leaders, in comparison with 454 final yr, and apart from this clear improve in factors, the proportion of podium finishes rose by 175%, and the typical factors per race elevated by 44.91% in 2024. These statistics weren’t sufficient to win the title, however they’re the type of numbers that, if constantly repeated, will put them ready to make the ultimate leap. The truth that Ferrari convincingly beat reigning world champions Crimson Bull and Mercedes is a press release of intent, regardless that they narrowly misplaced to McLaren.
What made the distinction this yr? “There’s no huge distinction,” says Fred Vasseur. “We’re making an attempt to enhance in each single space of efficiency, in each single division of the corporate. It’s one small step after one other.
“It’s not about having one thing that may change the sport, there’s no magic bullet. You need to preserve this mindset and push each member of the group to attempt to do a greater job, making an attempt to save lots of a gram on each half, and I feel within the final month we’ve made good progress. Definitely, it’s not sufficient, however we’re on track.”
He provides, “It’s a unending venture, a unending means of hiring, creating, and making an attempt to do a greater job.”
His drivers had been additionally distinctive in 2024—with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc ending the season with career-high factors totals—and had been instrumental in Ferrari’s enchancment.
“I feel Charles has made a step ahead in administration, not simply of the tires but additionally of the race,” says Vasseur. “The administration of his method was a bit extra… I wouldn’t say centered, however much less distracted at occasions. Total, it was season from Charles. Not at all times simple. Even once we had powerful moments, like in Austria, Spain, and the UK, he was in a position to come again, to have a optimistic perspective. I feel that response was essential for him and for the workforce.”
“For Carlos, it’s true that final yr was in all probability step one in Ferrari’s response. He got here again after the summer time break with very high-level performances—the rostrum at Monza, the pole at Monza, the win in Singapore—and this pushed Charles to react and finally obtain six or seven entrance rows in a row.”
“I feel we’ve made good progress, and that is a part of the workforce’s restoration. They’ve at all times pushed one another—in a optimistic means—and have accomplished very nicely. I’m very glad with their relationship.”
Looking forward to 2025, Fred Vasseur expects a four-way struggle for the championship amongst his workforce, McLaren, Crimson Bull, and Mercedes, particularly if the technical rules stay steady.
“Everybody takes dangers,” says Fred Vasseur. “For those who don’t take dangers, you’re useless. We all know the event of this automobile; it’s by no means simple as a result of we’re on the rise, and it’s at all times more durable.
“Everyone seems to be taking dangers, and we additionally need to take dangers as a result of 2025 shall be a wierd season. We’ll have to change fairly early to the 2026 venture, which implies the automobile we placed on monitor in Bahrain shall be essential.”
Fred Vasseur has accomplished an impressive job reworking Ferrari’s tradition, eliminating the worry issue and inspiring all workforce members to take dangers. He has no intention of fixing this technique as he heads into his third season on the helm.
“I need to preserve the identical method as final yr when it comes to recruitment, growth, and steady enchancment. This mentality is a part of the DNA of each F1 workforce. If in some unspecified time in the future you say you’re in form, I feel that’s the start of the top. It’s worthwhile to push past the boundaries of each single space day-after-day and are available to the manufacturing facility each morning saying, ‘I must do a greater job than yesterday.’ When you’ve got this method, I feel you’re heading in the right direction.”
Nonetheless, one factor that may change is the id of one of many drivers: seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will be part of the famed Italian workforce subsequent season on a multi-year contract. Fred Vasseur is understandably enthusiastic about one of many best drivers ever becoming a member of his workforce and sees his arrival as additional strengthening an already rising workforce.
“Will probably be a step ahead in constructing or creating the workforce. He brings his expertise, his background, and this shall be useful for the workforce’s growth. Will probably be helpful for Charles and for the engineers, and we have to take it as one other step in the correct course. It’s optimistic for us.”
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari is one thing sudden. Along with Charles Leclerc, he’ll kind a rare pairing that would mark a turning level for the workforce. There are lots of targets and goals to attain, with 2025 promising to be an thrilling yr.
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