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 rapidly overshadowed by a way of hope and pleasure for the long run.
Workforce Principal Fred Vasseur was in nice spirits as he welcomed a gaggle of worldwide media to an occasion area overlooking Ferrari’s gorgeous Fiorano check monitor through the crew’s conventional Christmas lunch.
Thought of essentially the most difficult job within the sport, the stress on the shoulders of the individual main Components 1’s most well-known crew is gigantic, however Fred Vasseur has taken on the position with outstanding ease.
It’s, in fact, nonetheless early days. That is solely the second 12 months of what he and Ferrari hope might be a long-term collaboration, however the indicators from this season are optimistic.
Fred Vasseur is an extremely likable determine, with a formidable skill 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 method to the job and a administration model that permits his workers 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 really wishes 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 20 years. However, he’s happy with the progress made up to now. “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 ravishing constructing a stone’s throw from the house of founder Enzo Ferrari. “It was an excellent season in comparison with 2023.”
“We’re not off course. Now we have improved in each single pillar of efficiency: reliability, technique, pit stops, pure efficiency. Relating to 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.”
“The whole lot goes in the precise route. We missed the ultimate step, however after we went to Abu Dhabi, the share likelihood of successful 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.’ Nevertheless 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 through the summer season the place one thing was missing.”
Ferrari responded nicely to the mid-season hunch and completed the season on an extremely optimistic be aware, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc each making the rostrum in Abu Dhabi. Total, it was a big 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 form of numbers that, if persistently repeated, will put them ready to make the ultimate leap. The truth that Ferrari convincingly beat reigning world champions Purple Bull and Mercedes is a press release of intent, despite the fact that 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 preserve 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 not off course.”
He provides, “It’s a unending mission, a unending means of hiring, creating, 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 method was a bit extra… I wouldn’t say centered, however much less distracted at occasions. Total, it was a superb season from Charles. Not all the time simple. Even after we had robust moments, like in Austria, Spain, and the UK, he was in a position to come again, to have a optimistic angle. I feel that response was vital for him and for the crew.”
“For Carlos, it’s true that final 12 months was in all probability step one in Ferrari’s response. He got here again after the summer season 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 crew’s restoration. They’ve all the time pushed one another—in a optimistic means—and have performed very nicely. I’m very happy with their relationship.”
Looking forward to 2025, Fred Vasseur expects a four-way combat for the championship amongst his crew, McLaren, Purple Bull, and Mercedes, particularly if the technical laws stay steady.
“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 more durable.
“Everyone seems to be taking dangers, and we additionally need to take dangers as a result of 2025 might be an odd season. We’ll have to change fairly early to the 2026 mission, which implies the automobile we placed on monitor in Bahrain might be essential.”
Fred Vasseur has performed an excellent job remodeling Ferrari’s tradition, eliminating the concern issue and inspiring all crew 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 preserve the identical method as final 12 months when it comes to recruitment, growth, and steady enchancment. This mentality is a part of the DNA of each F1 crew. If in some unspecified time in the future you say you’re in form, I feel that’s the start of the top. You want to push past the boundaries of each single space day by day and are available to the manufacturing facility each morning saying, ‘I must do a greater job than yesterday.’ If in case you have this method, 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 part of the famed Italian crew subsequent season on a multi-year contract. Fred Vasseur is understandably enthusiastic about one of many biggest drivers ever becoming a member of his crew and sees his arrival as additional strengthening an already rising crew.
“Will probably be a step ahead in constructing or creating the crew. He brings his expertise, his background, and this might be useful for the crew’s growth. Will probably be helpful for Charles and for the engineers, and we have to take it as one other step in the precise route. It’s optimistic for us.”
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari is one thing sudden. Along with Charles Leclerc, he’ll kind a rare pairing that might mark a turning level for the crew. There are numerous targets and goals to attain, with 2025 promising to be an thrilling 12 months.
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