Ferrari, after a very long time, has lastly proven the potential to win the title if it continues down this path. The frustration of shedding to McLaren by simply 14 factors was shortly overshadowed by a way of hope and pleasure for the longer term.
Staff Principal Fred Vasseur was in nice spirits as he welcomed a gaggle of worldwide media to an occasion house overlooking Ferrari’s beautiful Fiorano check observe in the course of the group’s conventional Christmas lunch.
Thought of probably the most difficult job within the sport, the stress on the shoulders of the particular person main Method 1’s most well-known group is gigantic, however Fred Vasseur has taken on the function with outstanding ease.
It’s, after all, nonetheless early days. That is solely the second 12 months of what he and Ferrari hope shall be a long-term collaboration, however the indicators from this season are constructive.
Fred Vasseur is an extremely likable determine, with a powerful skill to defuse tense conditions along with his dry humorousness. Up to now, this technique has labored very effectively in Maranello, as has his all-encompassing method to the job and a administration model that enables his workers to take dangers with out concern of punishment.
The objective has not been achieved—removed from it. After all, 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 twenty years. However, he’s happy with the progress made thus far. “It was a very good season for us, actually 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 stupendous constructing a stone’s throw from the house of founder Enzo Ferrari. “It was an excellent season in comparison with 2023.”
“We’re on 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.”
“Every little thing goes in the suitable course. 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 believed, ‘Ah, the planets are virtually aligned now, let’s push.’ However it wasn’t in Abu Dhabi the place we fell brief. Abu Dhabi was a very good occasion; it was extra in Canada the place we had a double zero or in the course of the summer time the place one thing was missing.”
Ferrari responded effectively to the mid-season stoop and completed the season on an extremely constructive observe, 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 apart from this clear enhance 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 sort of numbers that, if constantly repeated, will put them able 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 huge 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 important to hold this mindset and push each member of the group to attempt to do a greater job, attempting to save lots of a gram on each half, and I believe within the final month we’ve made good progress. Definitely, it’s not sufficient, however we’re on course.”
He provides, “It’s a unending undertaking, a unending means of hiring, growing, and attempting to do a greater job.”
His drivers have been additionally distinctive in 2024—with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc ending the season with career-high factors totals—and have been instrumental in Ferrari’s enchancment.
“I believe Charles has made a step ahead in administration, not simply of the tires but additionally of the race,” says Vasseur. “The administration of his method was a bit extra… I wouldn’t say targeted, however much less distracted at instances. Total, it was a very good season from Charles. Not all the time simple. Even after we had powerful moments, like in Austria, Spain, and the UK, he was in a position to come again, to have a constructive perspective. I believe that response was essential for him and for the group.”
“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 time 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 believe we’ve made good progress, and that is a part of the group’s restoration. They’ve all the time pushed one another—in a constructive means—and have accomplished very effectively. I’m very happy with their relationship.”
Looking forward to 2025, Fred Vasseur expects a four-way combat for the championship amongst his group, McLaren, Purple Bull, and Mercedes, particularly if the technical rules stay secure.
“Everybody takes dangers,” says Fred Vasseur. “In the event 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 shall be a wierd season. We’ll have to modify fairly early to the 2026 undertaking, which suggests the automobile we placed on observe in Bahrain shall be essential.”
Fred Vasseur has accomplished an impressive job remodeling Ferrari’s tradition, eliminating the concern issue and inspiring all group members to take dangers. He has no intention of fixing this technique as he heads into his third season on the helm.
“I wish to hold 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 group. If in some unspecified time in the future you say you’re in form, I believe that’s the start of the tip. You might want to push past the bounds of each single space each day and are available to the manufacturing facility each morning saying, ‘I must do a greater job than yesterday.’ When you’ve got this method, I believe you’re heading in the right direction.”
Nonetheless, one factor that may change is the id of one of many drivers: seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will be part of the famed Italian group subsequent season on a multi-year contract. Fred Vasseur is understandably enthusiastic about one of many best drivers ever becoming a member of his group and sees his arrival as additional strengthening an already rising group.
“It will likely be a step ahead in constructing or growing the group. He brings his expertise, his background, and this shall be useful for the group’s growth. It will likely be helpful for Charles and for the engineers, and we have to take it as one other step in the suitable course. It’s constructive for us.”
Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari is one thing surprising. Along with Charles Leclerc, he’ll type a rare pairing that might mark a turning level for the group. There are various objectives and desires to realize, with 2025 promising to be an thrilling 12 months.
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