Through 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 Formulation 1 historical past, on the eve of a season the place the Prancing Horse is predicted to play a number one function. From the 2025 undertaking to managing the coexistence of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Frederic Vasseur addressed quite a few subjects in his remaining press assembly of the yr.
The near-miss championship
The 2024 Formulation 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 imagine we made vital progress in comparison with 2023. We improved in each pillar of competitiveness: reliability was higher, methods have 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 remaining race. What seemingly damage us extra was the double DNF in Canada or after we struggled between Spain, Austria, and England, shedding round 80–90 factors in 4 races. The rivals additionally had their lows throughout 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 key subject of the day, revealing the method behind bringing Sir Lewis to Maranello: “In 2023, we gained extra races than Mercedes, and the beginning of the season was optimistic. It wasn’t exhausting to persuade him that Ferrari was a sound undertaking. I believe he’s had the concept of driving for Ferrari for at the least 22–23 years as a result of we have been already discussing it in 2024. Generally it’s a matter of timing and all the pieces aligning, however getting in contact was simple. We began speaking a yr in the past, and convincing him wasn’t tough.”
Nonetheless, the Workforce Principal has no intention of reorganizing the staff round Hamilton: “That atmosphere [at Mercedes] labored very effectively initially, however much less so in direction of the tip. We have to discover one of the best ways 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 gained a world championship. Which means we have to do issues otherwise, with our staff, our individuals, and our sources.”
Fred Vasseur dismissed skepticism about Lewis Hamilton’s competitiveness: “Ask George Russell after the Abu Dhabi Sunday. Basically, I believe Lewis had some difficulties in qualifying, however I don’t imagine, 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 fearful. […] I don’t need to blame him or Mercedes, however I’m satisfied it wasn’t a simple scenario to handle, and I perceive how difficult it may be when issues aren’t going effectively. However within the remaining occasions, he carried out very effectively, and I’m not fearful in any respect.”
Coexistence with Charles Leclerc
In 2025, Fred Vasseur will handle two top-tier drivers, in contrast to Crimson Bull, which has centered totally on Max Verstappen. Nonetheless, the Frenchman doesn’t envy their scenario: “For me, the judgment isn’t clear-cut. You can say that placing all sources into one automotive and sacrificing the opposite barely is a bonus. However, I’m satisfied a part of the efficiency of two drivers comes from mutual emulation. At the least for the Constructors’ title, it’s a lot simpler to present equal consideration to each automobiles, however I believe 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 staff competitiveness. There have been moments of stress between Charles and Carlos, like in Monza in 2023 or Las Vegas in 2024, however in the long run, they benefitted the staff’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 imagine the staff’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 believe Charles has improved considerably in race administration, not simply with tires however in his general weekend method. In fact, perfection is rarely reached, and we nonetheless want to enhance a bit, however I imagine 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 proper 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 lately: “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’ll hold their youngsters in the identical college and don’t must promote their home. Except for gardening depart, you’ll be able to swap groups nearly in a single day. This isn’t potential for Ferrari.”
“It’s a scenario 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 necessary for efficiency. We’re preventing for hundredths of a second. Any fraction we will acquire from any space is at all times optimistic.”
Looking forward to 2025
One other scorching subject is the automotive for the brand new yr, a undertaking Fred Vasseur hopes to name daring: “Generally you assume you’re not taking dangers, and later notice simply how dangerous the undertaking was. We’re within the fourth yr of those laws and now know the idea effectively. The automotive shall be fully new and could have lower than 1% of the parts from the earlier one. It will likely be a wholly completely different undertaking, however this would be the case for everybody.”
To contend for the title, the precedence shall be scoring vital factors even in robust moments: “It’s in all probability simpler to win while you’re aggressive than to attain factors while you’re behind the main pack. I believe Max was very efficient at this this yr. Generally he was struggling, however he managed to get better. I believe subsequent yr would be the similar story. The highest groups will develop their automobiles, make progress, and we’ll nonetheless have a four-way combat.”
On this context, Fred Vasseur will make sure the staff learns from the expertise of the previous season: “After the preliminary doubles, everybody thought Crimson Bull would win. It was an necessary lesson: the season could be very lengthy and has ups and downs. You might need robust 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 creating. […] 2025 shall be a problem as a result of sooner or later, we’ll must resolve whether or not to remain centered on the season or shift to 2026, which is why beginning on the fallacious foot would make all the pieces tougher. Regardless of this, we’ll hold pushing till the final nook of the final race.” – the French supervisor concluded.
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