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 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 take a look at observe throughout the workforce’s conventional Christmas lunch.
Thought of essentially the most difficult job within the sport, the strain on the shoulders of the individual main Formulation 1’s most well-known workforce is gigantic, however Fred Vasseur has taken on the position with exceptional ease.
It’s, in fact, nonetheless early days. That is solely the second 12 months of what he and Ferrari hope will probably be a long-term collaboration, however the indicators from this season are optimistic.
Fred Vasseur is an extremely likable determine, with a powerful skill to defuse tense conditions together with his dry humorousness. To this point, this technique has labored very effectively in Maranello, as has his all-encompassing strategy to the job and a administration model that enables his workers 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 goal, however what the Scuderia actually 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 twenty years. However, he’s happy with the progress made thus far. “It was a superb 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 on the right track. Now we have 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.”
“Every part goes in the appropriate path. We missed the ultimate step, however after 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.’ Nevertheless it wasn’t in Abu Dhabi the place we fell quick. Abu Dhabi was a superb 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 effectively to the mid-season droop and completed the season on an extremely optimistic be aware, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc each making the rostrum in Abu Dhabi. Total, it was a big step ahead.
This 12 months, Ferrari was solely 14 factors behind the leaders, in comparison with 454 final 12 months, and apart from this clear enhance 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 sort 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, although they narrowly misplaced to McLaren.
What made the distinction this 12 months? “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. You need to hold this mindset and push each member of the group to attempt to do a greater job, attempting to avoid wasting a gram on each half, and I feel within the final month we’ve made good progress. Actually, it’s not sufficient, however we’re on the right track.”
He provides, “It’s a endless challenge, a endless technique of hiring, growing, 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 in addition 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 superb season from Charles. Not at all times straightforward. Even after 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 vital for him and for the workforce.”
“For Carlos, it’s true that final 12 months was most likely 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 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 workforce’s restoration. They’ve at all times pushed one another—in a optimistic approach—and have completed very effectively. I’m very happy with their relationship.”
Waiting for 2025, Fred Vasseur expects a four-way struggle for the championship amongst his workforce, McLaren, Pink Bull, and Mercedes, particularly if the technical laws 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 automotive; it’s by no means straightforward 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 should take dangers as a result of 2025 will probably be an odd season. We’ll have to modify fairly early to the 2026 challenge, which implies the automotive we placed on observe in Bahrain will probably be essential.”
Fred Vasseur has completed an excellent job remodeling 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 hold the identical strategy as final 12 months when it comes to recruitment, improvement, and steady enchancment. This mentality is a part of the DNA of each F1 workforce. If sooner or later you say you’re in form, I feel that’s the start of the tip. You might want to push past the bounds of each single space every single day and are available to the manufacturing facility each morning saying, ‘I have to do a greater job than yesterday.’ You probably have this strategy, 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 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 is going to be a step ahead in constructing or growing the workforce. He brings his expertise, his background, and this will probably be useful for the workforce’s improvement. It is going to be helpful for Charles and for the engineers, and we have to take it as one other step in the appropriate path. 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 various targets and desires to realize, with 2025 promising to be an thrilling 12 months.
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