Ferrari, after a very long time, has lastly proven the potential to win the title if it continues down this path. The frustration of shedding to McLaren by simply 14 factors was rapidly overshadowed by a way of hope and pleasure for the longer term.
Crew Principal Fred Vasseur was in nice spirits as he welcomed a bunch of worldwide media to an occasion area overlooking Ferrari’s gorgeous Fiorano check observe throughout the group’s conventional Christmas lunch.
Thought of essentially the most difficult job within the sport, the strain on the shoulders of the individual main System 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 yr of what he and Ferrari hope will probably be a long-term collaboration, however the indicators from this season are optimistic.
Fred Vasseur is an extremely likable determine, with a powerful potential to defuse tense conditions along with his dry humorousness. Up to now, this technique has labored very nicely in Maranello, as has his all-encompassing strategy to the job and a administration fashion that enables his staff to take dangers with out concern of punishment.
The purpose has not been achieved—removed from it. In fact, bringing the championship again to Italy is the purpose, however what the Scuderia actually needs is the beginning of a brand new profitable cycle, just like the one skilled between 2000-2004 with Michael Schumacher or the dominance loved by Purple Bull and Mercedes over the previous 20 years. Nonetheless, he’s glad with the progress made to this point. “It was a superb season for us, definitely 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 fantastic constructing a stone’s throw from the house of founder Enzo Ferrari. “It was an excellent season in comparison with 2023.”
“We’re on the right track. We’ve 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 by way of factors, we scored 60% extra in 2024 than in 2023.”
“Every little thing goes in the correct path. We missed the ultimate step, however after we went to Abu Dhabi, the proportion probability of profitable 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.’ However it wasn’t in Abu Dhabi the place we fell brief. Abu Dhabi was a superb occasion; it was extra in Canada the place we had a double zero or throughout the summer time the place one thing was missing.”
Ferrari responded nicely to the mid-season hunch and completed the season on an extremely optimistic observe, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc each making the rostrum in Abu Dhabi. General, it was a major step ahead.
This yr, Ferrari was solely 14 factors behind the leaders, in comparison with 454 final yr, and apart from this clear enhance in factors, the proportion 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 type of numbers that, if constantly repeated, will put them able to make the ultimate leap. The truth that Ferrari convincingly beat reigning world champions Purple Bull and Mercedes is an announcement of intent, though they narrowly misplaced to McLaren.
What made the distinction this yr? “There’s no huge distinction,” says Fred Vasseur. “We’re attempting 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. It’s a must to hold this mindset and push each member of the group to attempt to do a greater job, attempting to avoid wasting a gram on each half, and I feel within the final month we’ve made good progress. Actually, it’s not sufficient, however we’re on the right track.”
He provides, “It’s a endless mission, a endless means of hiring, creating, and attempting 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 feel 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. General, it was a superb season from Charles. Not all the time simple. Even after we had powerful moments, like in Austria, Spain, and the UK, he was capable of come again, to have a optimistic angle. I feel that response was necessary for him and for the group.”
“For Carlos, it’s true that final yr was in all probability step one in Ferrari’s response. He got here again after the summer time 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 feel we’ve made good progress, and that is a part of the group’s restoration. They’ve all the time pushed one another—in a optimistic approach—and have executed very nicely. I’m very glad with their relationship.”
Looking forward to 2025, Fred Vasseur expects a four-way struggle for the championship amongst his group, McLaren, Purple Bull, and Mercedes, particularly if the technical rules stay steady.
“Everybody takes dangers,” says Fred Vasseur. “In case you don’t take dangers, you’re lifeless. We all know the event of this automotive; it’s by no means simple as a result of we’re on the rise, and it’s all the time tougher.
“Everyone seems to be taking dangers, and we additionally should take dangers as a result of 2025 will probably be a wierd season. We’ll have to modify fairly early to the 2026 mission, which implies the automotive we placed on observe in Bahrain will probably be essential.”
Fred Vasseur has executed an impressive job remodeling Ferrari’s tradition, eliminating the concern issue and inspiring all group members to take dangers. He has no intention of fixing this technique as he heads into his third season on the helm.
“I need to hold the identical strategy as final yr by way of recruitment, improvement, 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 feel that’s the start of the top. That you must push past the bounds of each single space every single day and are available to the manufacturing unit each morning saying, ‘I must do a greater job than yesterday.’ If in case you have this strategy, I feel you’re heading in the right direction.”
Nevertheless, one factor that can change is the identification of one of many drivers: seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will be a part of the famed Italian group subsequent season on a multi-year contract. Fred Vasseur is understandably enthusiastic about one of many biggest 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 creating the group. He brings his expertise, his background, and this will probably be useful for the group’s improvement. It will likely be helpful for Charles and for the engineers, and we have to take it as one other step in the correct path. It’s optimistic for us.”
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari is one thing surprising. Along with Charles Leclerc, he’ll type a rare pairing that might mark a turning level for the group. There are various targets and goals to realize, with 2025 promising to be an thrilling yr.
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