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 bunch of worldwide media to an occasion house overlooking Ferrari’s gorgeous Fiorano check monitor in the course of the crew’s conventional Christmas lunch.
Thought-about probably the most difficult job within the sport, the strain on the shoulders of the individual main Components 1’s most well-known crew is gigantic, however Fred Vasseur has taken on the function with outstanding ease.
It’s, in fact, nonetheless early days. That is solely the second yr of what he and Ferrari hope will likely 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 together with his dry humorousness. To this point, this technique has labored very nicely in Maranello, as has his all-encompassing strategy to the job and a administration fashion that permits his workers to take dangers with out worry of punishment.
The aim has not been achieved—removed from it. After all, bringing the championship again to Italy is the intention, however what the Scuderia really wishes 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 Pink Bull and Mercedes over the previous 20 years. However, he’s glad with the progress made thus far. “It was a great season for us, actually 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 lovely constructing a stone’s throw from the house of founder Enzo Ferrari. “It was an excellent season in comparison with 2023.”
“We’re on the right track. We now have improved in each single pillar of efficiency: reliability, technique, pit stops, pure efficiency. Relating to the KPIs, we achieved 5 wins in comparison with one, and by way of factors, we scored 60% extra in 2024 than in 2023.”
“Every thing goes in the appropriate route. We missed the ultimate step, however once we went to Abu Dhabi, the share likelihood 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 virtually aligned now, let’s push.’ Nevertheless it wasn’t in Abu Dhabi the place we fell brief. Abu Dhabi was a great occasion; it was extra in Canada the place we had a double zero or in the course of the summer season the place one thing was missing.”
Ferrari responded nicely to the mid-season hunch and completed the season on an extremely optimistic word, 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 in addition to this clear enhance in factors, the share 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 form of numbers that, if constantly repeated, will put them able to make the ultimate leap. The truth that Ferrari convincingly beat reigning world champions Pink Bull and Mercedes is an announcement of intent, regardless that they narrowly misplaced to McLaren.
What made the distinction this yr? “There’s no massive distinction,” says Fred Vasseur. “We’re attempting 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. It’s a must to preserve this mindset and push each member of the group to attempt to do a greater job, attempting 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 the right track.”
He provides, “It’s a unending undertaking, a unending technique of hiring, creating, and attempting 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 strategy was a bit extra… I wouldn’t say centered, however much less distracted at instances. Total, it was a great season from Charles. Not all the time straightforward. Even once we had powerful moments, like in Austria, Spain, and the UK, he was capable of come again, to have a optimistic perspective. I feel that response was necessary for him and for the crew.”
“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 season 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 in the end obtain six or seven entrance rows in a row.”
“I feel we’ve made good progress, and that is a part of the crew’s restoration. They’ve all the time pushed one another—in a optimistic manner—and have completed very nicely. I’m very glad with their relationship.”
Waiting for 2025, Fred Vasseur expects a four-way battle for the championship amongst his crew, McLaren, Pink Bull, and Mercedes, particularly if the technical rules stay steady.
“Everybody takes dangers,” says Fred Vasseur. “When you don’t take dangers, you’re lifeless. We all know the event of this automotive; it’s by no means straightforward as a result of we’re on the rise, and it’s all the time tougher.
“Everyone seems to be taking dangers, and we additionally need to take dangers as a result of 2025 will likely be an odd season. We’ll have to change fairly early to the 2026 undertaking, which implies the automotive we placed on monitor in Bahrain will likely be essential.”
Fred Vasseur has completed an impressive job remodeling Ferrari’s tradition, eliminating the worry issue and inspiring all crew members to take dangers. He has no intention of fixing this technique as he heads into his third season on the helm.
“I wish to preserve the identical strategy as final yr by way of recruitment, improvement, and steady enchancment. This mentality is a part of the DNA of each F1 crew. If sooner or later you say you’re in form, I feel that’s the start of the top. It is advisable to push past the bounds of each single space day by day and are available to the manufacturing facility each morning saying, ‘I must do a greater job than yesterday.’ If in case you have this strategy, I feel you’re heading in the right direction.”
Nevertheless, one factor that may change is the identification of one of many drivers: seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will be part of the famed Italian crew subsequent season on a multi-year contract. Fred Vasseur is understandably enthusiastic about one of many biggest drivers ever becoming a member of his crew and sees his arrival as additional strengthening an already rising crew.
“Will probably be a step ahead in constructing or creating the crew. He brings his expertise, his background, and this will likely be useful for the crew’s improvement. Will probably be helpful for Charles and for the engineers, and we have to take it as one other step in the appropriate route. It’s optimistic for us.”
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari is one thing sudden. Along with Charles Leclerc, he’ll kind a unprecedented pairing that would mark a turning level for the crew. There are a lot of objectives and goals to attain, with 2025 promising to be an thrilling yr.
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