Throughout the Christmas lunch in Maranello, all consideration is on Lewis Hamilton, nonetheless absent however nonetheless the principle matter 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 ultimate 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 remains to be digesting the frustration of Abu Dhabi: “I really feel conflicted as a result of I consider we made important progress in comparison with 2023. We improved in each pillar of competitiveness: reliability was higher, methods have been stable, pit stops went properly, and efficiency was there. We scored 60% extra factors than the earlier yr, with 5 wins in comparison with one. All indicators are constructive. 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 really outscored them within the ultimate race. What probably damage us extra was the double DNF in Canada or once we struggled between Spain, Austria, and England, shedding round 80–90 factors in 4 races. The rivals additionally had their lows in the course of the season. With 4 groups in competition, 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 matter of the day, revealing the method behind bringing Sir Lewis to Maranello: “In 2023, we received extra races than Mercedes, and the beginning of the season was constructive. It wasn’t laborious to persuade him that Ferrari was a sound undertaking. I feel he’s had the thought of driving for Ferrari for not less than 22–23 years as a result of we have been already discussing it in 2024. Typically 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 workforce round Hamilton: “That setting [at Mercedes] labored very properly initially, however much less so in the 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 received a world championship. Meaning we have to do issues in another way, with our workforce, our individuals, and our assets.”
Fred Vasseur dismissed skepticism about Lewis Hamilton’s competitiveness: “Ask George Russell after the Abu Dhabi Sunday. Normally, I feel Lewis had some difficulties in qualifying, however I don’t consider, 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 nervous. […] I don’t need to blame him or Mercedes, however I’m satisfied it wasn’t a straightforward state of affairs to handle, and I perceive how difficult it may be when issues aren’t going properly. However within the ultimate occasions, he carried out very properly, and I’m not nervous in any respect.”
Coexistence with Charles Leclerc
In 2025, Fred Vasseur will handle two top-tier drivers, not like Purple Bull, which has centered fully on Max Verstappen. Nonetheless, the Frenchman doesn’t envy their state of affairs: “For me, the judgment isn’t clear-cut. You might say that placing all assets into one automobile and sacrificing the opposite barely is a bonus. Then again, I’m satisfied a part of the efficiency of two drivers comes from mutual emulation. At the very least for the Constructors’ title, it’s a lot simpler to provide equal consideration to each vehicles, however I feel 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 workforce 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 workforce’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 consider the workforce’s competitiveness may also come from their problem.”
Furthermore, it might be counterproductive to sacrifice Leclerc, who’s turning into more and more full: “I feel Charles has improved considerably in race administration, not simply with tires however in his total weekend method. In fact, perfection is rarely reached, and we nonetheless want to enhance a bit, however I consider 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 appropriate 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 needs to maneuver from Purple Bull to Mercedes, they’ll preserve their youngsters in the identical college and don’t should promote their home. Other than gardening depart, you may change groups nearly in a single day. This isn’t doable for Ferrari.”
“It’s a state of affairs 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 essential for efficiency. We’re combating for hundredths of a second. Any fraction we will acquire from any space is all the time constructive.”
Looking forward to 2025
One other scorching matter is the automobile for the brand new yr, a undertaking Fred Vasseur hopes to name daring: “Typically you suppose 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 properly. The automobile will probably be utterly new and may have lower than 1% of the parts from the earlier one. It will likely be a completely completely different undertaking, however this would be the case for everybody.”
To contend for the title, the precedence will probably be scoring important factors even in powerful 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 feel Max was very efficient at this this yr. Typically he was struggling, however he managed to get better. I feel subsequent yr would be the identical story. The highest groups will develop their vehicles, make progress, and we’ll nonetheless have a four-way combat.”
On this context, Fred Vasseur will make sure the workforce learns from the expertise of the previous season: “After the preliminary doubles, everybody thought Purple Bull would win. It was an essential lesson: the season could be very lengthy and has ups and downs. You may need sturdy weekends after which drop to seventh or eighth. At sure factors within the season, Max was round sixth or seventh. It’s an excellent lesson to maintain pushing and growing. […] 2025 will probably be a problem as a result of sooner or later, we’ll should determine whether or not to remain centered on the season or shift to 2026, which is why beginning on the unsuitable foot would make all the pieces tougher. Regardless of this, we’ll preserve pushing till the final nook of the final race.” – the French supervisor concluded.
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