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 rapidly overshadowed by a way of hope and pleasure for the long run.
Workforce Principal Fred Vasseur was in nice spirits as he welcomed a bunch of worldwide media to an occasion area overlooking Ferrari’s beautiful Fiorano check monitor throughout the group’s conventional Christmas lunch.
Thought of essentially the most difficult job within the sport, the stress on the shoulders of the individual main Method 1’s most well-known group is gigantic, however Fred Vasseur has taken on the function with exceptional ease.
It’s, after all, 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 constructive.
Fred Vasseur is an extremely likable determine, with a formidable means to defuse tense conditions together with his dry humorousness. To this point, this technique has labored very properly in Maranello, as has his all-encompassing strategy to the job and a administration fashion that enables his workers to take dangers with out worry of punishment.
The aim has not been achieved—removed from it. In fact, bringing the championship again to Italy is the purpose, however what the Scuderia really 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 glad with the progress made to date. “It was a great 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 a lovely constructing a stone’s throw from the house of founder Enzo Ferrari. “It was an excellent season in comparison with 2023.”
“We’re on target. 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 when it comes to factors, we scored 60% extra in 2024 than in 2023.”
“Every thing goes in the correct course. We missed the ultimate step, however once we went to Abu Dhabi, the share likelihood of successful was very low. After Saturday, it was even decrease. It’s true that after the second or third lap, I assumed, ‘Ah, the planets are virtually aligned now, let’s push.’ But it surely wasn’t in Abu Dhabi the place we fell brief. Abu Dhabi was a great 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 properly to the mid-season stoop and completed the season on an extremely constructive observe, 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 share 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 persistently repeated, will put them ready 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 large 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. You need to hold 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. Actually, it’s not sufficient, however we’re on target.”
He provides, “It’s a unending venture, a unending 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 additionally of the race,” says Vasseur. “The administration of his strategy was a bit extra… I wouldn’t say centered, however much less distracted at occasions. Total, it was a great season from Charles. Not at all times straightforward. Even once we had robust moments, like in Austria, Spain, and the UK, he was capable of come again, to have a constructive angle. I believe that response was vital for him and for the group.”
“For Carlos, it’s true that final 12 months was in all probability 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 in the end obtain six or seven entrance rows in a row.”
“I believe we’ve made good progress, and that is a part of the group’s restoration. They’ve at all times pushed one another—in a constructive means—and have finished very properly. I’m very glad with their relationship.”
Looking forward to 2025, Fred Vasseur expects a four-way combat for the championship amongst his group, McLaren, Pink 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 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 must take dangers as a result of 2025 will probably be an odd season. We’ll have to modify fairly early to the 2026 venture, which suggests the automotive we placed on monitor in Bahrain will probably be essential.”
Fred Vasseur has finished an impressive job remodeling Ferrari’s tradition, eliminating the worry issue and inspiring all group members to take dangers. He has no intention of adjusting this technique as he heads into his third season on the helm.
“I wish to hold the identical strategy as final 12 months when it comes to recruitment, growth, and steady enchancment. This mentality is a part of the DNA of each F1 group. If sooner or later you say you’re in form, I believe that’s the start of the top. It’s essential to push past the bounds of each single space each day and are available to the manufacturing facility each morning saying, ‘I have to do a greater job than yesterday.’ When you’ve got this strategy, I believe you’re heading in the right direction.”
Nonetheless, one factor that can change is the identification of one of many drivers: seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will be part of the famed Italian group subsequent season on a multi-year contract. Fred Vasseur is understandably enthusiastic about one of many best drivers ever becoming a member of his group and sees his arrival as additional strengthening an already rising group.
“It will likely be a step ahead in constructing or growing the group. He brings his expertise, his background, and this will probably be useful for the group’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 correct course. It’s constructive for us.”
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari is one thing surprising. Along with Charles Leclerc, he’ll kind a rare pairing that might mark a turning level for the group. There are lots of targets and goals to realize, with 2025 promising to be an thrilling 12 months.
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