Ferrari, after a very long time, has lastly proven the potential to win the title if it continues down this path. The frustration of shedding to McLaren by simply 14 factors was shortly overshadowed by a way of hope and pleasure for the long run.
Staff Principal Fred Vasseur was in nice spirits as he welcomed a bunch of worldwide media to an occasion area overlooking Ferrari’s gorgeous Fiorano check monitor throughout the workforce’s conventional Christmas lunch.
Thought of probably the most difficult job within the sport, the strain on the shoulders of the particular person main Formulation 1’s most well-known workforce is gigantic, however Fred Vasseur has taken on the function with exceptional ease.
It’s, in fact, nonetheless early days. That is solely the second yr of what he and Ferrari hope can 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 method to the job and a administration type that permits his workers to take dangers with out concern 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 wishes is the beginning of a brand new profitable 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 happy with the progress made to this point. “It was 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 an exquisite constructing a stone’s throw from the house of founder Enzo Ferrari. “It was an excellent season in comparison with 2023.”
“We’re not off course. 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 by way of factors, we scored 60% extra in 2024 than in 2023.”
“All the things goes in the appropriate route. We missed the ultimate step, however once we went to Abu Dhabi, the share likelihood of profitable 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.’ However it 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 season the place one thing was missing.”
Ferrari responded nicely to the mid-season stoop and completed the season on an extremely optimistic notice, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc each making the rostrum in Abu Dhabi. General, it was a major 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 share of podium finishes rose by 175%, and the common factors per race elevated by 44.91% in 2024. These statistics weren’t sufficient to win the title, however they’re the sort 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 an announcement of intent, although they narrowly misplaced to McLaren.
What made the distinction this yr? “There’s no massive 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. It’s important to preserve this mindset and push each member of the group to attempt to do a greater job, making an attempt to avoid wasting a gram on each half, and I believe within the final month we’ve made good progress. Definitely, it’s not sufficient, however we’re not off course.”
He provides, “It’s a endless challenge, a endless means of hiring, growing, and making an attempt to do a greater job.”
His drivers have been additionally distinctive in 2024—with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc ending the season with career-high factors totals—and have been instrumental in Ferrari’s enchancment.
“I believe Charles has made a step ahead in administration, not simply of the tires but in addition 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. General, it was season from Charles. Not all the time 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 angle. I believe that response was necessary for him and for the workforce.”
“For Carlos, it’s true that final yr was most likely 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 finally obtain six or seven entrance rows in a row.”
“I believe we’ve made good progress, and that is a part of the workforce’s restoration. They’ve all the time pushed one another—in a optimistic manner—and have finished very nicely. I’m very happy with their relationship.”
Waiting for 2025, Fred Vasseur expects a four-way combat for the championship amongst his workforce, McLaren, Crimson Bull, and Mercedes, particularly if the technical laws stay steady.
“Everybody takes dangers,” says Fred Vasseur. “In case you 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 all the time more durable.
“Everyone seems to be taking dangers, and we additionally need to take dangers as a result of 2025 can be a wierd season. We’ll have to change fairly early to the 2026 challenge, which suggests the automobile we placed on monitor in Bahrain can be essential.”
Fred Vasseur has finished an excellent job reworking Ferrari’s tradition, eliminating the concern issue and inspiring all workforce members to take dangers. He has no intention of adjusting this technique as he heads into his third season on the helm.
“I need to preserve the identical method as final yr by way of 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 believe that’s the start of the top. It’s essential push past the boundaries of each single space day by day and are available to the manufacturing facility each morning saying, ‘I have to do a greater job than yesterday.’ When you have this method, I believe 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 a part of the famed Italian workforce subsequent season on a multi-year contract. Fred Vasseur is understandably enthusiastic about one of many biggest drivers ever becoming a member of his workforce and sees his arrival as additional strengthening an already rising workforce.
“It will likely be a step ahead in constructing or growing the workforce. He brings his expertise, his background, and this can be useful for the workforce’s growth. It will likely 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 surprising. Along with Charles Leclerc, he’ll type a rare pairing that would mark a turning level for the workforce. There are various targets and goals to attain, with 2025 promising to be an thrilling yr.
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