He strikes by way of the departments, exchanging concepts and opinions. He seeks to get to know the folks, not limiting himself to conversing solely with the highest line of technicians. Loic Serra arrived in Maranello on October 1st after an extended courtship by Fred Vasseur and needed to deeply discover the world of the Maranello workforce, discovering “…a world very totally different from Mercedes,” the place he had been accustomed for fourteen years. A 52-year-old Frenchman, however with a Sardinian grandfather and a mom from Montebelluna, he’s the technical director of the Scuderia.
He arrived on the Sporting Administration after the 677 had already been outlined, however he didn’t hesitate to supply all of the expertise he gained with the Star and beforehand at Michelin, the place he developed a deep data of tires. At Brackley, he was accountable for the automobile after which for efficiency, contributing to Mercedes’ chain of successes through the hybrid period.
“In Maranello, I needed to study to know folks and roles, as a result of they don’t all the time match these I used to be used to in my earlier groups,” Loic Serra mentioned in a dialogue with the Italian day by day newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport through the conventional Maranello Christmas lunch. “Furthermore, the priorities on which the automotive’s growth is targeted additionally change. The expansion margins are steady. I’m engaged on the 2025 automotive, after which the work will proceed in parallel with the 2026 mission, which is able to contain all of the departments.”
In contrast to Fred Vasseur and Jerome D’Ambrosio, who selected Bologna as their base, Serra most well-liked Modena to be nearer to the manufacturing facility. The French engineer moved his total household, spouse and 5 kids, to Italy with the notice of placing down roots to make sure continuity in a season that Ferrari completed second within the Constructors’ World Championship.
President John Elkann expects the Scuderia to carry out higher subsequent 12 months, implying that the one purpose shall be to purpose for each World Championships, drivers and constructors. It’s an vital duty that the technical director approaches with conviction and calm: the 677, which is able to debut on monitor at Fiorano on February 19, is a automotive that “doesn’t have 1% of the elements of the SF-24,” Fred Vasseur admitted, validating our forecasts that will probably be a totally new F1 to try to hit the massive goal immediately, benefiting from the arrival of Lewis Hamilton.
“After I signed, over a 12 months in the past,” Serra mentioned, “I didn’t know that Lewis would come. I’m completely positive he shall be as quick as in his finest years. The most important mistake you can also make is to underestimate Hamilton, who has a rare skill to really feel the automotive and what’s lacking to go sooner.”
Ferrari has redesigned the technical space by putting Serra in cost and providing him a job he has by no means held however appears to have already interpreted completely. The shut collaboration with Diego Tondi (head of aerodynamics) and Enrico Gualtieri (director of the engine space) shall be essential in beginning the examine of the pink automotive for 2026 from the start of January when the brand new agile automotive rules will come into impact. It ought to be famous that the 677 won’t affect the 2025 price range apart from growth plans, because the mission was launched with nice perception, making use of the monetary availability from 2024.
Maranello has determined to give attention to a totally new automotive as an alternative of responding to the temptation of many who’re considering solely of an advanced model of the 2024 automotive. And this might be the political selection that makes a major distinction within the upcoming championship…