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 Formulation 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 mission to managing the coexistence of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Frederic Vasseur addressed quite a few subjects in his closing press assembly of the yr.
The near-miss championship
The 2024 Formulation 1 season noticed Ferrari as soon as once more contending for the world championship, however the Staff Principal remains to be digesting the frustration of Abu Dhabi: “I really feel conflicted as a result of I imagine we made important progress in comparison with 2023. We improved in each pillar of competitiveness: reliability was higher, methods have been strong, pit stops went properly, and efficiency was there. We scored 60% extra factors than the earlier yr, with 5 wins in comparison with one. All indicators are optimistic. 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, dropping round 80–90 factors in 4 races. The rivals additionally had their lows through 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 optimistic. It wasn’t exhausting to persuade him that Ferrari was a legitimate mission. I feel he’s had the thought of driving for Ferrari for no less than 22–23 years as a result of we have been already discussing it in 2024. Typically it’s a matter of timing and every thing aligning, however getting in contact was straightforward. We began speaking a yr in the past, and convincing him wasn’t tough.”
Nevertheless, the Staff Principal has no intention of reorganizing the staff round Hamilton: “That setting [at Mercedes] labored very properly initially, however much less so in the direction of the tip. We have to discover the easiest way 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 staff, our folks, and our sources.”
Fred Vasseur dismissed skepticism about Lewis Hamilton’s competitiveness: “Ask George Russell after the Abu Dhabi Sunday. Usually, 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 fearful. […] I don’t wish to blame him or Mercedes, however I’m satisfied it wasn’t a straightforward 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 fearful in any respect.”
Coexistence with Charles Leclerc
In 2025, Fred Vasseur will handle two top-tier drivers, in contrast to Purple Bull, which has targeted solely on Max Verstappen. Nevertheless, the Frenchman doesn’t envy their scenario: “For me, the judgment isn’t clear-cut. You would say that placing all sources into one automotive and sacrificing the opposite barely is a bonus. However, I’m satisfied a part of the efficiency of two drivers comes from mutual emulation. At the very least for the Constructors’ title, it’s a lot simpler to offer equal consideration to each vehicles, however I feel even for the Drivers’ Championship, this emulation is useful.”
The Staff Principal drew from his expertise with Leclerc and Sainz: “I’m satisfied that inner competitors is essential for staff competitiveness. There have been moments of stress between Charles and Carlos, like in Monza in 2023 or Las Vegas in 2024, however in the long run, they benefitted the staff’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 staff’s competitiveness may even come from their problem.”
Furthermore, it might 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 total weekend method. After all, perfection isn’t 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 fitting path.”
Ferrari opens its doorways
The Christmas lunch additionally featured many new faces, significantly Deputy Staff 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 lately: “Within the UK, there are seven groups inside a 50-kilometer radius, barely extra for McLaren. If somebody desires to maneuver from Purple Bull to Mercedes, they’ll maintain their youngsters in the identical college and don’t must promote their home. Except for gardening go away, you’ll be able to 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 data 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 are able to acquire from any space is at all times optimistic.”
Looking forward to 2025
One other scorching subject is the automotive for the brand new yr, a mission Fred Vasseur hopes to name daring: “Typically you suppose you’re not taking dangers, and later understand simply how dangerous the mission was. We’re within the fourth yr of those laws and now know the idea properly. The automotive might be utterly new and could have lower than 1% of the elements from the earlier one. It will likely be a completely totally different mission, however this would be the case for everybody.”
To contend for the title, the precedence might be scoring important factors even in powerful moments: “It’s most likely simpler to win once you’re aggressive than to attain factors once you’re in the back of the main pack. I feel Max was very efficient at this this yr. Typically he was struggling, however he managed to get better. I feel subsequent yr would be the similar story. The highest groups will develop their vehicles, make progress, and we’ll nonetheless have a four-way combat.”
On this context, Fred Vasseur will make sure the staff learns from the expertise of the previous season: “After the preliminary doubles, everybody thought Purple Bull would win. It was an vital lesson: the season may be very lengthy and has ups and downs. You might need sturdy weekends after which drop to seventh or eighth. At sure factors within the season, Max was round sixth or seventh. It’s a very good lesson to maintain pushing and growing. […] 2025 might be a problem as a result of sooner or later, we’ll must resolve whether or not to remain targeted on the season or shift to 2026, which is why beginning on the unsuitable foot would make every thing more durable. Regardless of this, we’ll maintain pushing till the final nook of the final race.” – the French supervisor concluded.
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
