Ferrari could not have clinched their first constructors’ championship in 16 years in 2024, however for the primary time in lots of seasons, they gave the impression to be a staff that would genuinely problem for the title, supplied they preserve their present trajectory. Whereas there was pure disappointment in narrowly lacking out to McLaren by a mere 14 factors, that sentiment was shortly overshadowed by a renewed sense of optimism and pleasure about what the longer term might maintain.
Crew Principal Frederic Vasseur delivered a charismatic efficiency when he hosted a gathering of worldwide media at an occasion house overlooking Ferrari’s iconic Fiorano take a look at monitor, within the firm of the staff’s conventional end-of-season Christmas luncheon.
Usually described as probably the most demanding roles in sport, the strain on the chief of Method 1’s most iconic staff is immense. Nevertheless, the previous Alfa Romeo staff boss has tailored to his position with exceptional ease, demonstrating a pure consolation within the high-stress surroundings.
It’s nonetheless early days in his tenure, in fact. This was solely his second yr on the helm of Ferrari, and each he and the staff are optimistic concerning the long-term partnership. The optimistic indicators from this season, nonetheless, can’t be ignored.
The French supervisor is a likable and approachable chief, recognized for his means to defuse tense moments along with his dry humorousness. His strategy has confirmed profitable at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters, the place his all-encompassing work ethic and administration model have empowered his staff members to take dangers with out worry of retribution.
Whereas the last word objective stays elusive – bringing the championship again to Italy – Ferrari’s true ambition lies within the institution of a brand new period of dominance, akin to the one they loved with Michael Schumacher between 2000 and 2004, or the continuing success Purple Bull and Mercedes have skilled lately. Regardless of the absence of a title this season, Frederic Vasseur is content material with the progress the staff has made.
“It was a superb season for us, for positive with ups and down as with everybody, however with extra ups than downs,” – the Ferrari staff principal identified in a latest dialogue with F1 Correspondent & Presenter Lawrence Barretto that happened in a location shut from founder Enzo Ferrari’s home. “It was an excellent season in comparison with 2023. We’re moving into the proper path. We improved in each single pillar of efficiency – reliability, technique, pit stops, pure efficiency and on KPIs, we had been 5 wins in opposition to one and on factors, we scored 60% extra factors in 2024 than 2023.” – the Frenchman added.
“The whole lot goes in the proper path. We missed the final step, however after we went to Abu Dhabi, the share of likelihood to win was very low. After Saturday, it was lower than very low. It’s true after Lap 2 or 3, I say ‘ah the planets are virtually aligned now, let’s push’. However it’s not in Abu Dhabi that we missed one thing. Abu Dhabi itself was a superb occasion, it’s extra in Canada we had a double zero, or within the summertime we missed one thing.”
The Maranello staff has made a exceptional restoration after a mid-season stoop, ending the yr on a excessive be aware with each Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc securing podium finishes in Abu Dhabi. Within the grand scheme of issues, this represented a big leap ahead for the staff.
In 2024, they had been simply 14 factors behind the leaders, a drastic enchancment from the staggering 454-point deficit they confronted the earlier yr. Alongside this spectacular enhance in factors, their price of podium finishes rose by 175%, and their common factors per race noticed a 44.91% enchancment in comparison with 2023. Whereas these statistics weren’t sufficient to safe the championship, they replicate the form of progress that, if maintained constantly, might place Ferrari to make that essential ultimate leap. The truth that Ferrari managed to surpass the reigning world champions, Purple Bull and Mercedes, in such a convincing method is a daring assertion of intent, although they in the end fell brief to McLaren.
What has been the important thing to this transformation in 2024? “There is no such thing as a huge distinction,” the French supervisor replied – “We try to enhance on each single space of the efficiency, in each single division of the corporate. It’s small step by small step. It’s not a case of getting one thing with a game-changer – there isn’t a magic bullet. It’s essential preserve this mindset and push everybody within the group to try to do a greater job, attempt to save one gram on every half and this I feel we did a superb step ahead during the last month. For positive it’s not sufficient however we’re moving into the proper path. It’s a no-end undertaking, a no-end course of to recruit, to develop, to attempt to do a greater job.” – the Ferrari staff boss continued.
Ferrari’s drivers delivered distinctive performances in 2024, with each Carlos Sainz, who will be part of Williams subsequent season, and Charles Leclerc reaching career-high factors totals, taking part in an integral position within the staff’s progress.
Crew Principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged that Leclerc had made a notable enchancment, particularly in race administration, which included not solely tire administration but in addition higher dealing with of the general race technique. He noticed that Leclerc’s strategy was extra centered, with fewer moments of distraction, contributing to a extra composed efficiency. Regardless of dealing with challenges throughout the season, significantly in Austria, Spain, and the UK, Leclerc demonstrated resilience, bouncing again every time with a optimistic angle. Vasseur emphasised that this means to recuperate from tough conditions was important each for Leclerc’s improvement and for the staff’s morale.
Concerning Carlos Sainz, Fred Vasseur identified that the Spaniard’s efficiency within the second half of the 2023 season marked the start of Ferrari’s turnaround. Carlos Sainz’s sturdy outcomes, together with a podium and pole place in Monza and a win in Singapore, sparked a aggressive response from Leclerc, who then achieved a powerful collection of front-row finishes. Fred Vasseur felt that this mutual push between the drivers had been instrumental in Ferrari’s restoration, praising their supportive but aggressive dynamic and expressing satisfaction with their relationship.
Waiting for 2025, Fred Vasseur anticipates a fierce four-way battle for the championship between Ferrari, McLaren, Purple Bull, and Mercedes, significantly with the steadiness of technical laws. He acknowledged that each staff could be taking dangers, as not doing so would imply falling behind. Ferrari’s automobile improvement is an ongoing problem, and Fred Vasseur famous that because the staff enters the ultimate levels of their present automobile’s improvement, the stakes can be greater than ever. With the shift to the 2026 undertaking looming, he emphasised that the automobile debuting in Bahrain can be essential for the staff’s prospects.
Fred Vasseur has made notable strides in reshaping Ferrari’s inside tradition, specializing in eradicating the worry issue and inspiring risk-taking in any respect ranges. He has no plans to change this strategy in his third season on the helm, stating that sustaining a dedication to steady enchancment is vital to long-term success. He believes that if a staff ever feels content material with its place, it indicators the start of a decline. His technique entails pushing the boundaries in each space and fostering an surroundings the place daily brings the chance for enchancment.
A big change for Ferrari in 2025 would be the arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will be part of the staff on a multi-year deal. The Ferrari staff boss expressed his pleasure about having one of many biggest drivers in Method 1 historical past be part of the ranks, seeing Lewis Hamilton’s expertise as a invaluable asset in additional growing the staff. He believes Hamilton’s presence won’t solely profit Leclerc but in addition help the engineers, contributing to the staff’s total progress. The French supervisor sees Lewis Hamilton’s arrival as one other optimistic step in Ferrari’s ongoing evolution.
For Ferrari followers, the arrival of Lewis Hamilton marks the potential starting of a brand new and profitable chapter, with excessive hopes for a yr filled with optimistic developments within the 2025 Method 1 championship
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