Scuderia Ferrari has lengthy been criticized for its strategic missteps in Method 1, however lately, the workforce has made a concerted effort to refine its decision-making and communication on race days.
Followers will bear in mind the heartbreak of Charles Leclerc on the 2022 Monte Carlo Grand Prix in entrance of his house followers, the place a pit cease blunder price him a probable victory. Later that season, a poorly executed tire technique on the Hungarian Grand Prix additional highlighted Ferrari’s struggles, finally denying them one other race win.
Recognizing the necessity for change, Ferrari underwent vital management restructuring in 2023. Fred Vasseur, previously Sauber’s workforce principal, took cost and carried out a extra measured strategy to strategic decision-making. As an alternative of creating abrupt personnel adjustments, as Ferrari had carried out up to now, the French workforce boss reassigned head strategist Iñaki Rueda to a factory-based function whereas inserting Ravin Jain trackside to supervise race-day calls.
The outcomes had been evident—Ferrari’s technique execution turned extra exact, with fewer expensive errors and a extra aggressive strategy that always put rival groups on the defensive.
Talking on the Pink Flags podcast, former F1 strategist Bernie Collins recommended Fred Vasseur for his behind-the-scenes efforts in enhancing the Maranello workforce’s race operations.
Bernie Collins Applauds Frederic Vasseur for Ferrari’s Strategic Overhaul
A first-rate instance of Ferrari’s progress got here throughout Carlos Sainz’s outstanding victory on the 2023 Australian Grand Prix. The win showcased the workforce’s improved tactical execution, notably their efficient use of the undercut to fend off competitors from McLaren and different challengers at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit.
Bernie Collins believes Ferrari now operates in a much more structured and environment friendly method than in earlier years, contrasting it with an period when drivers like Sebastian Vettel had been typically heard taking the lead in strategic choices over the workforce radio. With Fred Vasseur on the helm, Ferrari has moved towards a extra disciplined and proactive strategy—one that would show essential with Lewis Hamilton becoming a member of the workforce within the 2025 Method 1 marketing campaign.
Bernie Collins famous that, based mostly on her observations of workforce radio communications, Fred Vasseur seemed to be making a major impression at Ferrari. She believed he was fostering belief throughout the workforce, permitting people to make their very own choices, stand by them, and transfer ahead with confidence.
Bernie Collins additionally identified that Ferrari’s technique workforce had proven noticeable enchancment over the previous two years. She emphasised that everybody on the pit wall was extremely smart, and the important thing to success was enabling them to make the selections they deemed right.
Hamilton Warned of Distinctive Challenges Forward at Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari is ready to be some of the talked-about tales of the 2025 Method 1 season, as he embarks on a mission to say a record-breaking eighth world title. Nonetheless, former strategist Bernie Collins has cautioned that his transition will not be as seamless as some count on, emphasizing that the challenges of adapting to a brand new workforce shouldn’t be underestimated.
Collins highlighted that Ferrari’s operational surroundings presents key variations in comparison with what Hamilton has been accustomed to at Mercedes. Variations in workforce terminology, cockpit format, and even the design of the steering wheel may all require a interval of adjustment for the seven-time champion. Even small particulars can have a major impression when a driver is working on the absolute restrict.
In preparation for his extremely anticipated Ferrari debut, Hamilton has already been busy familiarizing himself together with his new environment. He has accomplished a number of check periods, together with observe runs at Fiorano and Barcelona, to construct chemistry together with his race engineer and get a really feel for the SF-25’s dealing with.
Throughout a latest Pirelli check, Lewis Hamilton posted lap instances barely sooner than his new teammate, Charles Leclerc. Nonetheless, provided that the 2 drivers had been working totally different packages and testing improvement tyres, the outcomes will not be indicative of any actual efficiency hierarchy throughout the workforce. With pre-season testing nonetheless forward, the British driver will proceed refining his strategy as he adapts to Ferrari’s approach of working.