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 group that would genuinely problem for the title, offered they keep their present trajectory. Whereas there was pure disappointment in narrowly lacking out to McLaren by a mere 14 factors, that sentiment was shortly overshadowed by a renewed sense of optimism and pleasure about what the longer term may maintain.
Group Principal Frederic Vasseur delivered a charismatic efficiency when he hosted a gathering of worldwide media at an occasion house overlooking Ferrari’s iconic Fiorano take a look at observe, within the firm of the group’s conventional end-of-season Christmas luncheon.
Typically described as one of the demanding roles in sport, the stress on the chief of Method 1’s most iconic group is immense. Nonetheless, the previous Alfa Romeo group boss has tailored to his function with exceptional 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 yr on the helm of Ferrari, and each he and the group 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 capacity to defuse tense moments together with his dry humorousness. His method has confirmed profitable at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters, the place his all-encompassing work ethic and administration model have empowered his group members to take dangers with out worry of retribution.
Whereas the final word aim 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 continuing success Crimson Bull and Mercedes have skilled in recent times. Regardless of the absence of a title this season, Frederic Vasseur is content material with the progress the group has made.
“It was a great season for us, for positive with ups and down as with everybody, however with extra ups than downs,” – the Ferrari group principal identified in a current dialogue with F1 Correspondent & Presenter Lawrence Barretto that passed off in a location shut from founder Enzo Ferrari’s home. “It was an excellent season in comparison with 2023. We’re getting in the appropriate 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.
“Every little thing goes in the appropriate route. We missed the final step, however once we went to Abu Dhabi, the proportion of probability 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 virtually 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 group has made a exceptional restoration after a mid-season stoop, ending the yr 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 major leap ahead for the group.
In 2024, they have been simply 14 factors behind the leaders, a drastic enchancment from the staggering 454-point deficit they confronted the earlier yr. Alongside this spectacular enhance 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 type of progress that, if maintained constantly, may 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 brief to McLaren.
What has been the important thing to this transformation in 2024? “There isn’t a 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 is no such thing as a magic bullet. You could 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 believe we did a great step ahead during the last month. For positive it’s not sufficient however we’re getting in the appropriate 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 group 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 reaching career-high factors totals, taking part in an integral function within the group’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 method was extra centered, with fewer moments of distraction, contributing to a extra composed efficiency. Regardless of going through challenges in the course of the season, notably in Austria, Spain, and the UK, Leclerc demonstrated resilience, bouncing again every time with a optimistic perspective. Vasseur emphasised that this capacity to get better from troublesome conditions was important each for Leclerc’s growth and for the group’s morale.
Concerning 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 sturdy 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 sequence 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, notably with the steadiness of technical laws. He acknowledged that each group could be taking dangers, as not doing so would imply falling behind. Ferrari’s automotive growth is an ongoing problem, and Fred Vasseur famous that because the group enters the ultimate phases of their present automotive’s growth, the stakes will likely be larger than ever. With the shift to the 2026 challenge looming, he emphasised that the automotive debuting in Bahrain will likely be essential for the group’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 method in his third season on the helm, stating that sustaining a dedication to steady enchancment is vital to long-term success. He believes that if a group ever feels content material with its place, it indicators the start of a decline. His technique entails pushing the boundaries in each space and fostering an setting the place on daily basis brings the chance for enchancment.
A major change for Ferrari in 2025 would be the arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will be part of the group on a multi-year deal. The Ferrari group boss expressed his pleasure about having one of many biggest drivers in Method 1 historical past be part of the ranks, seeing Lewis Hamilton’s expertise as a priceless asset in additional creating the group. He believes Hamilton’s presence is not going to solely profit Leclerc but in addition assist the engineers, contributing to the group’s total 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 yr filled with optimistic developments within the 2025 Method 1 championship
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