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 shortly overshadowed by a way of hope and pleasure for the longer term.
Group Principal Fred Vasseur was in nice spirits as he welcomed a bunch of worldwide media to an occasion house overlooking Ferrari’s beautiful Fiorano take a look at observe throughout the workforce’s conventional Christmas lunch.
Thought-about probably the most difficult job within the sport, the stress on the shoulders of the individual main Components 1’s most well-known workforce is big, however Fred Vasseur has taken on the function with outstanding ease.
It’s, after all, nonetheless early days. That is solely the second 12 months of what he and Ferrari hope shall be a long-term collaboration, however the indicators from this season are optimistic.
Fred Vasseur is an extremely likable determine, with a powerful skill to defuse tense conditions along 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 model that permits his staff to take dangers with out concern of punishment.
The purpose has not been achieved—removed from it. After all, bringing the championship again to Italy is the intention, however what the Scuderia actually needs 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 Purple Bull and Mercedes over the previous twenty years. Nonetheless, he’s happy with the progress made thus far. “It was 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 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 track. 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 little thing goes in the proper path. We missed the ultimate step, however after we went to Abu Dhabi, the share probability of successful was very low. After Saturday, it was even decrease. It’s true that after the second or third lap, I believed, ‘Ah, the planets are nearly aligned now, let’s push.’ Nevertheless it wasn’t in Abu Dhabi the place we fell quick. Abu Dhabi was 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 properly to the mid-season droop and completed the season on an extremely optimistic be aware, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc each making the rostrum in Abu Dhabi. General, it was a major step ahead.
This 12 months, Ferrari was solely 14 factors behind the leaders, in comparison with 454 final 12 months, and in addition to this clear improve in factors, the share of podium finishes rose by 175%, and the common 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 ready to make the ultimate leap. The truth that Ferrari convincingly beat reigning world champions Purple Bull and Mercedes is an announcement of intent, although they narrowly misplaced to McLaren.
What made the distinction this 12 months? “There’s no massive 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 maintain 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 track.”
He provides, “It’s a unending venture, a unending means of hiring, growing, and attempting to do a greater job.”
His drivers had been additionally distinctive in 2024—with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc ending the season with career-high factors totals—and had been instrumental in Ferrari’s enchancment.
“I feel Charles has made a step ahead in administration, not simply of the tires but in addition of the race,” says Vasseur. “The administration of his strategy was a bit extra… I wouldn’t say targeted, however much less distracted at instances. General, it was 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 perspective. I feel that response was essential for him and for the workforce.”
“For Carlos, it’s true that final 12 months was most likely 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 finally obtain six or seven entrance rows in a row.”
“I feel we’ve made good progress, and that is a part of the workforce’s restoration. They’ve all the time pushed one another—in a optimistic method—and have completed very properly. I’m very happy with their relationship.”
Waiting for 2025, Fred Vasseur expects a four-way combat for the championship amongst his workforce, McLaren, Purple Bull, and Mercedes, particularly if the technical rules stay secure.
“Everybody takes dangers,” says Fred Vasseur. “In case you don’t take dangers, you’re useless. We all know the event of this automobile; 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 shall be a wierd season. We’ll have to change fairly early to the 2026 venture, which implies the automobile we placed on observe in Bahrain shall be essential.”
Fred Vasseur has completed an impressive job remodeling Ferrari’s tradition, eliminating the concern issue and inspiring all workforce 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 maintain 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 workforce. If in some unspecified time in the future you say you’re in form, I feel that’s the start of the top. You might want to push past the bounds of each single space each day and are available to the manufacturing unit each morning saying, ‘I have to do a greater job than yesterday.’ If in case you have this strategy, I feel you’re heading in the right direction.”
Nonetheless, one factor that can change is the id of one of many drivers: seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will be part of the famed Italian workforce subsequent season on a multi-year contract. Fred Vasseur is understandably enthusiastic about one of many best drivers ever becoming a member of his workforce and sees his arrival as additional strengthening an already rising workforce.
“It will likely be a step ahead in constructing or growing the workforce. He brings his expertise, his background, and this shall be useful for the workforce’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 proper path. It’s optimistic for us.”
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari is one thing surprising. Along with Charles Leclerc, he’ll type a unprecedented pairing that would mark a turning level for the workforce. There are various targets and goals to realize, with 2025 promising to be an thrilling 12 months.
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