Through the Christmas lunch in Maranello, all consideration is on Lewis Hamilton, nonetheless absent however nonetheless the principle subject of dialog. That is unsurprising given the unprecedented nature of this transfer in Ferrari and System 1 historical past, on the eve of a season the place the Prancing Horse is anticipated to play a number one position. From the 2025 venture to managing the coexistence of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Frederic Vasseur addressed quite a few matters in his last press assembly of the 12 months.
The near-miss championship
The 2024 System 1 season noticed Ferrari as soon as once more contending for the world championship, however the Group Principal remains to be digesting the frustration of Abu Dhabi: “I really feel conflicted as a result of I consider we made vital progress in comparison with 2023. We improved in each pillar of competitiveness: reliability was higher, methods have been strong, pit stops went properly, and efficiency was there. We scored 60% extra factors than the earlier 12 months, with 5 wins in comparison with one. All indicators are constructive. The one draw back is ending the season 14 factors behind McLaren.”
“We didn’t lose it in Abu Dhabi. All through the season, McLaren averaged 26–27 factors per weekend, and we truly outscored them within the last race. What seemingly damage us extra was the double DNF in Canada or after we struggled between Spain, Austria, and England, shedding round 80–90 factors in 4 races. The rivals additionally had their lows in the course of the season. With 4 groups in competition, highs and lows are inevitable. However when, out of over 600 factors, you end up 14 factors behind McLaren on the Sunday night of Abu Dhabi, there’s naturally frustration.”
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival
Fred Vasseur then turned to the most important subject of the day, revealing the method behind bringing Sir Lewis to Maranello: “In 2023, we gained extra races than Mercedes, and the beginning of the season was constructive. It wasn’t onerous to persuade him that Ferrari was a sound venture. I feel he’s had the thought of driving for Ferrari for no less than 22–23 years as a result of we have been already discussing it in 2024. Typically it’s a matter of timing and every thing aligning, however getting in contact was straightforward. We began speaking a 12 months in the past, and convincing him wasn’t tough.”
Nevertheless, the Group Principal has no intention of reorganizing the staff round Hamilton: “That atmosphere [at Mercedes] labored very properly initially, however much less so in direction of the tip. We have to discover one of the best ways to handle Lewis. I completely don’t wish to copy and paste or attempt to carry Mercedes right here wholesale. Over the previous three years, they haven’t gained a world championship. Meaning we have to do issues in a different way, with our staff, our individuals, and our sources.”
Fred Vasseur dismissed skepticism about Lewis Hamilton’s competitiveness: “Ask George Russell after the Abu Dhabi Sunday. On the whole, I feel Lewis had some difficulties in qualifying, however I don’t consider, for example, that Abu Dhabi was his fault. He had nice races in Las Vegas after which in Abu Dhabi itself. I’ve by no means been fearful. […] I don’t wish to blame him or Mercedes, however I’m satisfied it wasn’t a simple state of affairs to handle, and I perceive how difficult it may be when issues aren’t going properly. However within the last occasions, he carried out very properly, and I’m not fearful in any respect.”
Coexistence with Charles Leclerc
In 2025, Fred Vasseur will handle two top-tier drivers, not like Pink Bull, which has targeted fully on Max Verstappen. Nevertheless, the Frenchman doesn’t envy their state of affairs: “For me, the judgment isn’t clear-cut. You may say that placing all sources into one automotive and sacrificing the opposite barely is a bonus. Alternatively, I’m satisfied a part of the efficiency of two drivers comes from mutual emulation. At the least for the Constructors’ title, it’s a lot simpler to present equal consideration to each automobiles, however I feel even for the Drivers’ Championship, this emulation is useful.”
The Group Principal drew from his expertise with Leclerc and Sainz: “I’m satisfied that inside competitors is essential for staff competitiveness. There have been moments of rigidity between Charles and Carlos, like in Monza in 2023 or Las Vegas in 2024, however ultimately, they benefitted the staff’s efficiency. […] I’m not notably involved about Charles and Lewis. They’ve nice mutual respect and have been discussing this for months. These are nice issues to take care of, and I consider the staff’s competitiveness may even come from their problem.”
Furthermore, it could be counterproductive to sacrifice Leclerc, who’s turning into more and more full: “I feel Charles has improved considerably in race administration, not simply with tires however in his total weekend strategy. In fact, perfection is rarely reached, and we nonetheless want to enhance a bit, however I consider he’s in higher form now than he was 12 months in the past. We nonetheless have work to do, however he’s on the proper path.”
Ferrari opens its doorways
The Christmas lunch additionally featured many new faces, notably Deputy Group Principal Jérôme d’Ambrosio and new Technical Director Loïc Serra. They’re the primary hires promoted by Fred Vasseur to assist Ferrari break away from its isolation in recent times: “Within the UK, there are seven groups inside a 50-kilometer radius, barely extra for McLaren. If somebody desires to maneuver from Pink Bull to Mercedes, they’ll hold their children in the identical college and don’t need to promote their home. Apart from gardening depart, you possibly can swap groups nearly in a single day. This isn’t doable for Ferrari.”
“It’s a state of affairs with execs and cons, however we shouldn’t shut the door to different groups. A part of efficiency comes from data switch and these sorts of exchanges. This has nothing to do with nationality however extra with work tradition and studying from what others do. We’ve employed many individuals from different groups, and extra insights will include Hamilton, who brings expertise from Mercedes. That is necessary for efficiency. We’re combating for hundredths of a second. Any fraction we will achieve from any space is all the time constructive.”
Looking forward to 2025
One other scorching subject is the automotive for the brand new 12 months, a venture Fred Vasseur hopes to name daring: “Typically you suppose you’re not taking dangers, and later notice simply how dangerous the venture was. We’re within the fourth 12 months of those rules and now know the idea properly. The automotive will likely be utterly new and can have lower than 1% of the elements from the earlier one. Will probably be a wholly completely different venture, however this would be the case for everybody.”
To contend for the title, the precedence will likely be scoring vital factors even in powerful moments: “It’s in all probability simpler to win while you’re aggressive than to attain factors while you’re behind the main pack. I feel Max was very efficient at this this 12 months. Typically he was struggling, however he managed to get better. I feel subsequent 12 months would be the similar story. The highest groups will develop their automobiles, make progress, and we’ll nonetheless have a four-way struggle.”
On this context, Fred Vasseur will make sure the staff learns from the expertise of the previous season: “After the preliminary doubles, everybody thought Pink Bull would win. It was an necessary lesson: the season may be very lengthy and has ups and downs. You might need sturdy weekends after which drop to seventh or eighth. At sure factors within the season, Max was round sixth or seventh. It’s a very good lesson to maintain pushing and creating. […] 2025 will likely be a problem as a result of in some unspecified time in the future, we’ll need to resolve whether or not to remain targeted on the season or shift to 2026, which is why beginning on the unsuitable foot would make every thing more durable. Regardless of this, we’ll hold pushing till the final nook of the final race.” – the French supervisor concluded.
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
