Throughout 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 System 1 historical past, on the eve of a season the place the Prancing Horse is anticipated to play a number one function. From the 2025 mission to managing the coexistence of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Frederic Vasseur addressed quite a few subjects in his ultimate 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 strong, pit stops went effectively, and efficiency was there. We scored 60% extra factors than the earlier yr, 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 truly outscored them within the ultimate race. What possible damage us extra was the double DNF in Canada or after we struggled between Spain, Austria, and England, dropping round 80–90 factors in 4 races. The rivals additionally had their lows through 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 legitimate mission. I feel he’s had the thought of driving for Ferrari for a minimum of 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 straightforward. We began speaking a yr in the past, and convincing him wasn’t tough.”
Nonetheless, the Workforce Principal has no intention of reorganizing the group 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 need to copy and paste or attempt to carry Mercedes right here wholesale. Over the previous three years, they haven’t received a world championship. Which means we have to do issues in a different way, with our group, our individuals, and our sources.”
Fred Vasseur dismissed skepticism about Lewis Hamilton’s competitiveness: “Ask George Russell after the Abu Dhabi Sunday. Basically, I feel 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 straightforward state of affairs to handle, and I perceive how difficult it may be when issues aren’t going effectively. However within the ultimate 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 sources into one automotive and sacrificing the opposite barely is a bonus. Alternatively, 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 provide equal consideration to each vehicles, however I feel 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 group competitiveness. There have been moments of stress between Charles and Carlos, like in Monza in 2023 or Las Vegas in 2024, however ultimately, they benefitted the group’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 consider the group’s competitiveness may even come from their problem.”
Furthermore, it could 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 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 Crimson Bull to Mercedes, they will maintain their youngsters in the identical faculty and don’t need to promote their home. Apart from gardening go away, you may swap groups nearly in a single day. This isn’t doable 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 vital for efficiency. We’re preventing for hundredths of a second. Any fraction we are able to acquire from any space is all the time optimistic.”
Looking forward to 2025
One other scorching subject is the automotive for the brand new yr, a mission Fred Vasseur hopes to name daring: “Generally you assume you’re not taking dangers, and later understand simply how dangerous the mission was. We’re within the fourth yr of those rules and now know the idea effectively. The automotive might be fully new and can have lower than 1% of the parts from the earlier one. It will likely be a completely completely different mission, however this would be the case for everybody.”
To contend for the title, the precedence might be scoring important factors even in powerful moments: “It’s most likely simpler to win once you’re aggressive than to attain factors once you’re behind the main pack. I feel Max was very efficient at this this yr. Generally he was struggling, however he managed to get well. I feel subsequent yr would be the similar story. The highest groups will develop their vehicles, make progress, and we’ll nonetheless have a four-way combat.”
On this context, Fred Vasseur will make sure the group learns from the expertise of the previous season: “After the preliminary doubles, everybody thought Crimson Bull would win. It was an vital 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 lesson to maintain pushing and growing. […] 2025 might be a problem as a result of in some unspecified time in the future, we’ll need to resolve whether or not to remain targeted on the season or shift to 2026, which is why beginning on the flawed foot would make every little thing more durable. Regardless of this, we’ll maintain pushing till the final nook of the final race.” – the French supervisor concluded.
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