Ferrari could not have clinched their first constructors’ championship in 16 years in 2024, however for the primary time in lots of seasons, they seemed to be a staff that would genuinely problem for the title, offered they preserve their present trajectory. Whereas there was pure disappointment in narrowly lacking out to McLaren by a mere 14 factors, that sentiment was rapidly overshadowed by a renewed sense of optimism and pleasure about what the longer term might maintain.
Group Principal Frederic Vasseur delivered a charismatic efficiency when he hosted a gathering of worldwide media at an occasion area overlooking Ferrari’s iconic Fiorano check monitor, within the firm of the staff’s conventional end-of-season Christmas luncheon.
Usually described as one of the vital demanding roles in sport, the strain on the chief of Formulation 1’s most iconic staff is immense. Nonetheless, the previous Alfa Romeo staff boss has tailored to his function with outstanding ease, demonstrating a pure consolation within the high-stress setting.
It’s nonetheless early days in his tenure, after all. This was solely his second 12 months on the helm of Ferrari, and each he and the staff are optimistic concerning the long-term partnership. The optimistic indicators from this season, nevertheless, can’t be ignored.
The French supervisor is a likable and approachable chief, recognized for his means to defuse tense moments along with his dry humorousness. His strategy has confirmed profitable at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters, the place his all-encompassing work ethic and administration model have empowered his staff members to take dangers with out worry of retribution.
Whereas the final word objective stays elusive – bringing the championship again to Italy – Ferrari’s true ambition lies within the institution of a brand new period of dominance, akin to the one they loved with Michael Schumacher between 2000 and 2004, or the continued success Crimson Bull and Mercedes have skilled lately. Regardless of the absence of a title this season, Frederic Vasseur is content material with the progress the staff has made.
“It was a great season for us, for certain with ups and down as with everybody, however with extra ups than downs,” – the Ferrari staff principal identified in a latest dialogue with F1 Correspondent & Presenter Lawrence Barretto that occurred in a location shut from founder Enzo Ferrari’s home. “It was an excellent season in comparison with 2023. We’re moving into the proper route. We improved in each single pillar of efficiency – reliability, technique, pit stops, pure efficiency and on KPIs, we have been 5 wins towards one and on factors, we scored 60% extra factors in 2024 than 2023.” – the Frenchman added.
“All the things goes in the proper route. We missed the final step, however after we went to Abu Dhabi, the proportion of likelihood to win was very low. After Saturday, it was lower than very low. It’s true after Lap 2 or 3, I say ‘ah the planets are nearly aligned now, let’s push’. Nevertheless it’s not in Abu Dhabi that we missed one thing. Abu Dhabi itself was a great occasion, it’s extra in Canada we had a double zero, or within the summertime we missed one thing.”
The Maranello staff has made a outstanding restoration after a mid-season droop, ending the 12 months on a excessive observe with each Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc securing podium finishes in Abu Dhabi. Within the grand scheme of issues, this represented a big leap ahead for the staff.
In 2024, they have been simply 14 factors behind the leaders, a drastic enchancment from the staggering 454-point deficit they confronted the earlier 12 months. Alongside this spectacular improve in factors, their price of podium finishes rose by 175%, and their common factors per race noticed a 44.91% enchancment in comparison with 2023. Whereas these statistics weren’t sufficient to safe the championship, they mirror the form of progress that, if maintained persistently, might place Ferrari to make that essential closing leap. The truth that Ferrari managed to surpass the reigning world champions, Crimson Bull and Mercedes, in such a convincing method is a daring assertion of intent, though they finally fell quick to McLaren.
What has been the important thing to this transformation in 2024? “There isn’t any large distinction,” the French supervisor replied – “We are attempting to enhance on each single space of the efficiency, in each single division of the corporate. It’s small step by small step. It’s not a case of getting one thing with a game-changer – there isn’t any magic bullet. It’s good to preserve this mindset and push everybody within the group to attempt to do a greater job, attempt to save one gram on every half and this I feel we did a great step ahead over the past month. For certain it’s not sufficient however we’re moving into the proper route. It’s a no-end challenge, a no-end course of to recruit, to develop, to attempt to do a greater job.” – the Ferrari staff boss continued.
Ferrari’s drivers delivered distinctive performances in 2024, with each Carlos Sainz, who will be part of Williams subsequent season, and Charles Leclerc attaining career-high factors totals, enjoying an integral function within the staff’s progress.
Group Principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged that Leclerc had made a notable enchancment, particularly in race administration, which included not solely tire administration but in addition higher dealing with of the general race technique. He noticed that Leclerc’s strategy was extra centered, with fewer moments of distraction, contributing to a extra composed efficiency. Regardless of dealing with challenges in the course of the season, significantly in Austria, Spain, and the UK, Leclerc demonstrated resilience, bouncing again every time with a optimistic angle. Vasseur emphasised that this means to recuperate from tough conditions was crucial each for Leclerc’s improvement and for the staff’s morale.
Relating to Carlos Sainz, Fred Vasseur identified that the Spaniard’s efficiency within the second half of the 2023 season marked the start of Ferrari’s turnaround. Carlos Sainz’s robust outcomes, together with a podium and pole place in Monza and a win in Singapore, sparked a aggressive response from Leclerc, who then achieved a powerful collection of front-row finishes. Fred Vasseur felt that this mutual push between the drivers had been instrumental in Ferrari’s restoration, praising their supportive but aggressive dynamic and expressing satisfaction with their relationship.
Looking forward to 2025, Fred Vasseur anticipates a fierce four-way battle for the championship between Ferrari, McLaren, Crimson Bull, and Mercedes, significantly with the soundness of technical rules. He acknowledged that each staff can be taking dangers, as not doing so would imply falling behind. Ferrari’s automobile improvement is an ongoing problem, and Fred Vasseur famous that because the staff enters the ultimate phases of their present automobile’s improvement, the stakes will likely be larger than ever. With the shift to the 2026 challenge looming, he emphasised that the automobile debuting in Bahrain will likely be essential for the staff’s prospects.
Fred Vasseur has made notable strides in reshaping Ferrari’s inner tradition, specializing in eradicating the worry issue and inspiring risk-taking in any respect ranges. He has no plans to change this strategy in his third season on the helm, stating that sustaining a dedication to steady enchancment is essential to long-term success. He believes that if a staff ever feels content material with its place, it alerts the start of a decline. His technique includes pushing the boundaries in each space and fostering an setting the place daily brings the chance for enchancment.
A big change for Ferrari in 2025 would be the arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will be part of the staff on a multi-year deal. The Ferrari staff boss expressed his pleasure about having one of many best drivers in Formulation 1 historical past be part of the ranks, seeing Lewis Hamilton’s expertise as a useful asset in additional growing the staff. He believes Hamilton’s presence won’t solely profit Leclerc but in addition help the engineers, contributing to the staff’s general development. The French supervisor sees Lewis Hamilton’s arrival as one other optimistic step in Ferrari’s ongoing evolution.
For Ferrari followers, the arrival of Lewis Hamilton marks the potential starting of a brand new and profitable chapter, with excessive hopes for a 12 months filled with optimistic developments within the 2025 Formulation 1 championship
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