Scuderia Ferrari has lengthy been criticized for its strategic missteps in Formulation 1, however lately, the staff has made a concerted effort to refine its decision-making and communication on race days.
Followers will bear in mind the heartbreak of Charles Leclerc on the 2022 Monte Carlo Grand Prix in entrance of his dwelling followers, the place a pit cease blunder price him a possible victory. Later that season, a poorly executed tire technique on the Hungarian Grand Prix additional highlighted Ferrari’s struggles, in the end denying them one other race win.
Recognizing the necessity for change, Ferrari underwent vital management restructuring in 2023. Fred Vasseur, previously Sauber’s staff principal, took cost and carried out a extra measured method to strategic decision-making. As an alternative of creating abrupt personnel adjustments, as Ferrari had executed previously, the French staff boss reassigned head strategist Iñaki Rueda to a factory-based function whereas inserting Ravin Jain trackside to supervise race-day calls.
The outcomes had been evident—Ferrari’s technique execution turned extra exact, with fewer expensive errors and a extra aggressive method that usually put rival groups on the defensive.
Talking on the Crimson Flags podcast, former F1 strategist Bernie Collins counseled Fred Vasseur for his behind-the-scenes efforts in enhancing the Maranello staff’s race operations.
Bernie Collins Applauds Frederic Vasseur for Ferrari’s Strategic Overhaul
A chief instance of Ferrari’s progress got here throughout Carlos Sainz’s outstanding victory on the 2023 Australian Grand Prix. The win showcased the staff’s improved tactical execution, significantly their efficient use of the undercut to fend off competitors from McLaren and different challengers at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit.
Bernie Collins believes Ferrari now operates in a much more structured and environment friendly method than in earlier years, contrasting it with an period when drivers like Sebastian Vettel had been typically heard taking the lead in strategic choices over the staff radio. With Fred Vasseur on the helm, Ferrari has moved towards a extra disciplined and proactive method—one that would show essential with Lewis Hamilton becoming a member of the staff within the 2025 Formulation 1 marketing campaign.
Bernie Collins famous that, based mostly on her observations of staff radio communications, Fred Vasseur gave the impression to be making a major influence at Ferrari. She believed he was fostering belief inside the staff, permitting people to make their very own choices, stand by them, and transfer ahead with confidence.
Bernie Collins additionally identified that Ferrari’s technique staff had proven noticeable enchancment over the previous two years. She emphasised that everybody on the pit wall was very smart, and the important thing to success was enabling them to make the choices they deemed right.
Hamilton Warned of Distinctive Challenges Forward at Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari is about to be one of the crucial talked-about tales of the 2025 Formulation 1 season, as he embarks on a mission to assert a record-breaking eighth world title. Nonetheless, former strategist Bernie Collins has cautioned that his transition will not be as seamless as some count on, emphasizing that the challenges of adapting to a brand new staff shouldn’t be underestimated.
Collins highlighted that Ferrari’s operational atmosphere presents key variations in comparison with what Hamilton has been accustomed to at Mercedes. Variations in staff terminology, cockpit format, and even the design of the steering wheel may all require a interval of adjustment for the seven-time champion. Even small particulars can have a major influence when a driver is working on the absolute restrict.
In preparation for his extremely anticipated Ferrari debut, Hamilton has already been busy familiarizing himself along with his new environment. He has accomplished a number of check periods, together with monitor runs at Fiorano and Barcelona, to construct chemistry along with his race engineer and get a really feel for the SF-25’s dealing with.
Throughout a latest Pirelli check, Lewis Hamilton posted lap occasions barely sooner than his new teammate, Charles Leclerc. Nonetheless, on condition that the 2 drivers had been working totally different applications and testing growth tyres, the outcomes will not be indicative of any actual efficiency hierarchy inside the staff. With pre-season testing nonetheless forward, the British driver will proceed refining his method as he adapts to Ferrari’s manner of working.