In the course of the Christmas lunch in Maranello, all consideration is on Lewis Hamilton, nonetheless absent however nonetheless the principle 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 position. From the 2025 undertaking to managing the coexistence of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Frederic Vasseur addressed quite a few subjects in his last press assembly of the 12 months.
The near-miss championship
The 2024 Formulation 1 season noticed Ferrari as soon as once more contending for the world championship, however the Crew Principal continues 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 had been strong, pit stops went effectively, and efficiency was there. We scored 60% extra factors than the earlier 12 months, 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 really outscored them within the last race. What probably harm us extra was the double DNF in Canada or once we struggled between Spain, Austria, and England, shedding round 80–90 factors in 4 races. The rivals additionally had their lows in the course of 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 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 arduous to persuade him that Ferrari was a sound undertaking. I feel he’s had the concept of driving for Ferrari for no less than 22–23 years as a result of we had been already discussing it in 2024. Generally it’s a matter of timing and every little thing aligning, however getting in contact was simple. We began speaking a 12 months in the past, and convincing him wasn’t tough.”
Nonetheless, the Crew Principal has no intention of reorganizing the staff round Hamilton: “That atmosphere [at Mercedes] labored very effectively 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 convey Mercedes right here wholesale. Over the previous three years, they haven’t received a world championship. Which means we have to do issues otherwise, with our staff, 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 feel Lewis had some difficulties in qualifying, however I don’t imagine, for 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 wish to blame him or Mercedes, however I’m satisfied it wasn’t a simple state of affairs to handle, and I perceive how difficult it may be when issues aren’t going effectively. However within the last occasions, he carried out very effectively, and I’m not frightened in any respect.”
Coexistence with Charles Leclerc
In 2025, Fred Vasseur will handle two top-tier drivers, in contrast to Crimson Bull, which has targeted solely on Max Verstappen. Nonetheless, the Frenchman doesn’t envy their state of affairs: “For me, the judgment isn’t clear-cut. You may say that placing all assets 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. A minimum of for the Constructors’ title, it’s a lot simpler to provide equal consideration to each vehicles, however I feel even for the Drivers’ Championship, this emulation is helpful.”
The Crew Principal drew from his expertise with Leclerc and Sainz: “I’m satisfied that inside competitors is essential for staff competitiveness. There have been moments of rigidity between Charles and Carlos, like in Monza in 2023 or Las Vegas in 2024, however ultimately, 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 also come from their problem.”
Furthermore, it might be counterproductive to sacrifice Leclerc, who’s changing into more and more full: “I feel Charles has improved considerably in race administration, not simply with tires however in his general weekend method. After all, perfection is rarely 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 Crew 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 needs to maneuver from Crimson Bull to Mercedes, they will hold their youngsters in the identical college and don’t must promote their home. Except for gardening go away, you possibly can swap groups nearly in a single day. This isn’t attainable for Ferrari.”
“It’s a state of affairs 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 necessary for efficiency. We’re preventing for hundredths of a second. Any fraction we will acquire from any space is at all times optimistic.”
Looking forward to 2025
One other sizzling subject is the automotive for the brand new 12 months, a undertaking Fred Vasseur hopes to name daring: “Generally you suppose you’re not taking dangers, and later understand simply how dangerous the undertaking was. We’re within the fourth 12 months of those laws and now know the idea effectively. The automotive will likely be fully new and could have lower than 1% of the parts from the earlier one. It will likely be a wholly completely different undertaking, however this would be the case for everybody.”
To contend for the title, the precedence will likely be scoring important factors even in powerful moments: “It’s in all probability simpler to win whenever you’re aggressive than to attain factors whenever you’re in the back of the main pack. I feel Max was very efficient at this this 12 months. Generally he was struggling, however he managed to get better. I feel subsequent 12 months would be the identical story. The highest groups will develop their vehicles, make progress, and we’ll nonetheless have a four-way struggle.”
On this context, Fred Vasseur will make sure the staff learns from the expertise of the previous season: “After the preliminary doubles, everybody thought Crimson Bull would win. It was an necessary lesson: the season could 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 superb lesson to maintain pushing and growing. […] 2025 will likely 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 little thing more durable. Regardless of this, we’ll hold pushing till the final nook of the final race.” – the French supervisor concluded.
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