Throughout the Christmas lunch in Maranello, all consideration is on Lewis Hamilton, nonetheless absent however nonetheless the primary matter of dialog. That is unsurprising given the unprecedented nature of this transfer in Ferrari and System 1 historical past, on the eve of a season the place the Prancing Horse is predicted to play a number one position. From the 2025 challenge 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 System 1 season noticed Ferrari as soon as once more contending for the world championship, however the Workforce Principal continues to be digesting the frustration of Abu Dhabi: “I really feel conflicted as a result of I consider we made important progress in comparison with 2023. We improved in each pillar of competitiveness: reliability was higher, methods had been stable, pit stops went nicely, and efficiency was there. We scored 60% extra factors than the earlier yr, with 5 wins in comparison with one. All indicators are constructive. 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 really outscored them within the closing race. What possible harm us extra was the double DNF in Canada or after we struggled between Spain, Austria, and England, shedding round 80–90 factors in 4 races. The rivals additionally had their lows throughout the season. With 4 groups in rivalry, 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 most important matter of the day, revealing the method behind bringing Sir Lewis to Maranello: “In 2023, we gained extra races than Mercedes, and the beginning of the season was constructive. It wasn’t exhausting to persuade him that Ferrari was a legitimate challenge. I believe he’s had the concept of driving for Ferrari for not less than 22–23 years as a result of we had been already discussing it in 2024. Typically it’s a matter of timing and all the things aligning, however getting in contact was straightforward. We began speaking a yr in the past, and convincing him wasn’t tough.”
Nevertheless, the Workforce Principal has no intention of reorganizing the workforce round Hamilton: “That surroundings [at Mercedes] labored very nicely initially, however much less so in the direction of the tip. We have to discover one of the simplest ways to handle Lewis. I completely don’t need to copy and paste or attempt to deliver Mercedes right here wholesale. Over the previous three years, they haven’t gained a world championship. Meaning we have to do issues in another way, with our workforce, our folks, and our assets.”
Fred Vasseur dismissed skepticism about Lewis Hamilton’s competitiveness: “Ask George Russell after the Abu Dhabi Sunday. On the whole, I believe Lewis had some difficulties in qualifying, however I don’t consider, as an example, 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 frightened. […] I don’t need to blame him or Mercedes, however I’m satisfied it wasn’t a simple scenario to handle, and I perceive how difficult it may be when issues aren’t going nicely. However within the closing occasions, he carried out very nicely, and I’m not frightened in any respect.”
Coexistence with Charles Leclerc
In 2025, Fred Vasseur will handle two top-tier drivers, not like Purple Bull, which has targeted completely on Max Verstappen. Nevertheless, the Frenchman doesn’t envy their scenario: “For me, the judgment isn’t clear-cut. You may say that placing all assets into one automobile and sacrificing the opposite barely is a bonus. Then again, I’m satisfied a part of the efficiency of two drivers comes from mutual emulation. Not less than for the Constructors’ title, it’s a lot simpler to offer equal consideration to each automobiles, however I believe even for the Drivers’ Championship, this emulation is useful.”
The Workforce Principal drew from his expertise with Leclerc and Sainz: “I’m satisfied that inside competitors is essential for workforce 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 workforce’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 cope with, and I consider the workforce’s competitiveness may even come from their problem.”
Furthermore, it might be counterproductive to sacrifice Leclerc, who’s changing into more and more full: “I believe Charles has improved considerably in race administration, not simply with tires however in his total weekend method. In fact, perfection isn’t reached, and we nonetheless want to enhance a bit, however I consider 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 appropriate path.”
Ferrari opens its doorways
The Christmas lunch additionally featured many new faces, significantly Deputy Workforce 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 in recent times: “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 preserve their youngsters in the identical college and don’t must promote their home. Apart from gardening go away, you may change groups virtually in a single day. This isn’t potential for Ferrari.”
“It’s a scenario with professionals and cons, however we shouldn’t shut the door to different groups. A part of efficiency comes from information 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 will achieve from any space is all the time constructive.”
Looking forward to 2025
One other sizzling matter is the automobile for the brand new yr, a challenge Fred Vasseur hopes to name daring: “Typically you assume you’re not taking dangers, and later notice simply how dangerous the challenge was. We’re within the fourth yr of those rules and now know the idea nicely. The automobile can be fully new and can have lower than 1% of the elements from the earlier one. It is going to be a completely totally different challenge, however this would be the case for everybody.”
To contend for the title, the precedence can be scoring important factors even in robust moments: “It’s most likely simpler to win once you’re aggressive than to attain factors once you’re behind the main pack. I believe Max was very efficient at this this yr. Typically he was struggling, however he managed to get better. I believe subsequent yr would be the identical story. The highest groups will develop their automobiles, make progress, and we’ll nonetheless have a four-way struggle.”
On this context, Fred Vasseur will make sure the workforce 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 could be very lengthy and has ups and downs. You may need robust weekends after which drop to seventh or eighth. At sure factors within the season, Max was round sixth or seventh. It’s a great lesson to maintain pushing and growing. […] 2025 can be a problem as a result of in some unspecified time in the future, 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 all the things more durable. Regardless of this, we’ll preserve pushing till the final nook of the final race.” – the French supervisor concluded.
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