Through the Christmas lunch in Maranello, all consideration is on Lewis Hamilton, nonetheless absent however nonetheless the primary 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 predicted to play a number one function. From the 2025 challenge to managing the coexistence of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Frederic Vasseur addressed quite a few matters in his closing 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 Crew Principal continues to be digesting the frustration of Abu Dhabi: “I really feel conflicted as a result of I imagine we made vital progress in comparison with 2023. We improved in each pillar of competitiveness: reliability was higher, methods had 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 closing race. What possible harm us extra was the double DNF in Canada or once 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 main subject of the day, revealing the method behind bringing Sir Lewis to Maranello: “In 2023, we received extra races than Mercedes, and the beginning of the season was constructive. It wasn’t laborious to persuade him that Ferrari was a sound challenge. I feel he’s had the concept of driving for Ferrari for not less than 22–23 years as a result of we had been already discussing it in 2024. Typically it’s a matter of timing and the whole lot aligning, however getting in contact was simple. We began speaking a 12 months in the past, and convincing him wasn’t tough.”
Nonetheless, the Crew Principal has no intention of reorganizing the workforce round Hamilton: “That surroundings [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 received a world championship. Which means we have to do issues in another way, with our workforce, our individuals, and our sources.”
Fred Vasseur dismissed skepticism about Lewis Hamilton’s competitiveness: “Ask George Russell after the Abu Dhabi Sunday. Generally, I feel Lewis had some difficulties in qualifying, however I don’t imagine, as an illustration, 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 frightened. […] I don’t wish to blame him or Mercedes, however I’m satisfied it wasn’t a simple scenario to handle, and I perceive how difficult it may be when issues aren’t going properly. However within the closing occasions, he carried out very properly, and I’m not frightened in any respect.”
Coexistence with Charles Leclerc
In 2025, Fred Vasseur will handle two top-tier drivers, in contrast to Pink Bull, which has centered fully on Max Verstappen. Nonetheless, the Frenchman doesn’t envy their scenario: “For me, the judgment isn’t clear-cut. You would say that placing all sources into one automobile and sacrificing the opposite barely is a bonus. Alternatively, I’m satisfied a part of the efficiency of two drivers comes from mutual emulation. A minimum of 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 Crew Principal drew from his expertise with Leclerc and Sainz: “I’m satisfied that inner competitors is essential for workforce competitiveness. There have been moments of pressure between Charles and Carlos, like in Monza in 2023 or Las Vegas in 2024, however in the long run, they benefitted the workforce’s efficiency. […] I’m not significantly 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 imagine the workforce’s competitiveness can even come from their problem.”
Furthermore, it will 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 general weekend strategy. In fact, perfection is rarely reached, and we nonetheless want to enhance a bit, however I imagine 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 precise path.”
Ferrari opens its doorways
The Christmas lunch additionally featured many new faces, significantly Deputy Crew 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 will hold their children in the identical faculty and don’t must promote their home. Apart from gardening go away, you possibly can change groups virtually in a single day. This isn’t potential for Ferrari.”
“It’s a scenario with execs and cons, however we shouldn’t shut the door to different groups. A part of efficiency comes from information 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 vital for efficiency. We’re combating for hundredths of a second. Any fraction we will achieve from any space is at all times constructive.”
Waiting for 2025
One other scorching subject is the automobile for the brand new 12 months, a challenge Fred Vasseur hopes to name daring: “Typically you assume you’re not taking dangers, and later notice simply how dangerous the challenge was. We’re within the fourth 12 months of those laws and now know the idea properly. The automobile will probably be fully new and could have lower than 1% of the parts from the earlier one. It will likely be a wholly totally different challenge, however this would be the case for everybody.”
To contend for the title, the precedence will probably be scoring vital factors even in powerful moments: “It’s most likely simpler to win while you’re aggressive than to attain factors while you’re in the back of 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 identical 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 workforce learns from the expertise of the previous season: “After the preliminary doubles, everybody thought Pink Bull would win. It was an vital lesson: the season could be very lengthy and has ups and downs. You might need robust weekends after which drop to seventh or eighth. At sure factors within the season, Max was round sixth or seventh. It’s an excellent lesson to maintain pushing and growing. […] 2025 will probably be a problem as a result of sooner or later, we’ll must determine whether or not to remain centered on the season or shift to 2026, which is why beginning on the unsuitable foot would make the whole lot tougher. Regardless of this, we’ll hold pushing till the final nook of the final race.” – the French supervisor concluded.
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