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 longer term.
Crew Principal Fred Vasseur was in nice spirits as he welcomed a bunch of worldwide media to an occasion area overlooking Ferrari’s beautiful Fiorano take a look at monitor through the crew’s conventional Christmas lunch.
Thought-about essentially the most difficult job within the sport, the stress on the shoulders of the particular person main Components 1’s most well-known crew is big, however Fred Vasseur has taken on the function with exceptional ease.
It’s, in fact, nonetheless early days. That is solely the second 12 months of what he and Ferrari hope will likely be a long-term collaboration, however the indicators from this season are optimistic.
Fred Vasseur is an extremely likable determine, with a formidable capacity to defuse tense conditions along with his dry humorousness. To this point, this technique has labored very nicely in Maranello, as has his all-encompassing method to the job and a administration model that enables his workers to take dangers with out worry of punishment.
The objective has not been achieved—removed from it. After all, bringing the championship again to Italy is the intention, however what the Scuderia really wishes is the beginning of a brand new profitable cycle, just like the one skilled between 2000-2004 with Michael Schumacher or the dominance loved by Pink Bull and Mercedes over the previous twenty years. However, he’s happy with the progress made to this point. “It was an excellent 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 on course. We’ve got improved in each single pillar of efficiency: reliability, technique, pit stops, pure efficiency. Concerning 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.”
“All the pieces goes in the precise route. We missed the ultimate step, however once we went to Abu Dhabi, the proportion probability of profitable 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 nearly aligned now, let’s push.’ Nevertheless it wasn’t in Abu Dhabi the place we fell quick. Abu Dhabi was an excellent occasion; it was extra in Canada the place we had a double zero or through the summer time the place one thing was missing.”
Ferrari responded nicely to the mid-season hunch and completed the season on an extremely optimistic observe, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc each making the rostrum in Abu Dhabi. General, it was a major 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 improve in factors, the proportion of podium finishes rose by 175%, and the typical factors per race elevated by 44.91% in 2024. These statistics weren’t sufficient to win the title, however they’re the type of numbers that, if constantly repeated, will put them able to make the ultimate leap. The truth that Ferrari convincingly beat reigning world champions Pink Bull and Mercedes is a press release of intent, though they narrowly misplaced to McLaren.
What made the distinction this 12 months? “There’s no massive distinction,” says Fred Vasseur. “We’re making an attempt 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. You must maintain this mindset and push each member of the group to attempt to do a greater job, making an attempt to save lots of a gram on each half, and I feel 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 strategy of hiring, growing, and making an attempt 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 feel 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. General, it was an excellent season from Charles. Not at all times simple. Even once we had robust moments, like in Austria, Spain, and the UK, he was capable of come again, to have a optimistic perspective. I feel that response was necessary for him and for the crew.”
“For Carlos, it’s true that final 12 months was most likely 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 finally 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 at all times pushed one another—in a optimistic means—and have completed 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, Pink Bull, and Mercedes, particularly if the technical laws stay steady.
“Everybody takes dangers,” says Fred Vasseur. “In the event you don’t take dangers, you’re useless. We all know the event of this automotive; it’s by no means simple as a result of we’re on the rise, and it’s at all times tougher.
“Everyone seems to be taking dangers, and we additionally must take dangers as a result of 2025 will likely be a wierd season. We’ll have to change fairly early to the 2026 undertaking, which suggests the automotive we placed on monitor in Bahrain will likely be essential.”
Fred Vasseur has completed an excellent job reworking Ferrari’s tradition, eliminating the worry 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 maintain 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 sooner or later 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 daily 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 feel you’re heading in the right direction.”
Nonetheless, one factor that may 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 best drivers ever becoming a member of his crew and sees his arrival as additional strengthening an already rising crew.
“It will likely be a step ahead in constructing or growing the crew. He brings his expertise, his background, and this will likely be useful for the crew’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 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 unprecedented pairing that would mark a turning level for the crew. There are lots of objectives and desires to realize, with 2025 promising to be an thrilling 12 months.
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