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 Method 1 historical past, on the eve of a season the place the Prancing Horse is predicted to play a number one position. From the 2025 undertaking to managing the coexistence of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Frederic Vasseur addressed quite a few matters in his remaining press assembly of the 12 months.
The near-miss championship
The 2024 Method 1 season noticed Ferrari as soon as once more contending for the world championship, however the Crew Principal continues to be digesting the frustration of Abu Dhabi: “I really feel conflicted as a result of I consider we made vital progress in comparison with 2023. We improved in each pillar of competitiveness: reliability was higher, methods had been strong, pit stops went effectively, and efficiency was there. We scored 60% extra factors than the earlier 12 months, 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 remaining race. What doubtless harm us extra was the double DNF in Canada or after we struggled between Spain, Austria, and England, dropping round 80–90 factors in 4 races. The rivals additionally had their lows through 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 most important 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 constructive. It wasn’t exhausting to persuade him that Ferrari was a legitimate undertaking. I believe he’s had the thought of driving for Ferrari for not less than 22–23 years as a result of we had been already discussing it in 2024. Generally it’s a matter of timing and every part aligning, however getting in contact was straightforward. We began speaking a 12 months in the past, and convincing him wasn’t troublesome.”
Nonetheless, the Crew Principal has no intention of reorganizing the crew round Hamilton: “That surroundings [at Mercedes] labored very effectively initially, however much less so in the direction of the top. We have to discover one of the simplest ways to handle Lewis. I completely don’t need to copy and paste or attempt to convey Mercedes right here wholesale. Over the previous three years, they haven’t gained a world championship. Which means we have to do issues in a different way, with our crew, our folks, and our assets.”
Fred Vasseur dismissed skepticism about Lewis Hamilton’s competitiveness: “Ask George Russell after the Abu Dhabi Sunday. Normally, I believe Lewis had some difficulties in qualifying, however I don’t consider, for 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 frightened. […] 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 effectively. However within the remaining occasions, he carried out very effectively, and I’m not frightened in any respect.”
Coexistence with Charles Leclerc
In 2025, Fred Vasseur will handle two top-tier drivers, in contrast to Pink 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. Alternatively, I’m satisfied a part of the efficiency of two drivers comes from mutual emulation. A minimum of for the Constructors’ title, it’s a lot simpler to present equal consideration to each vehicles, however I believe even for the Drivers’ Championship, this emulation is helpful.”
The Crew Principal drew from his expertise with Leclerc and Sainz: “I’m satisfied that inside competitors is essential for crew competitiveness. There have been moments of pressure between Charles and Carlos, like in Monza in 2023 or Las Vegas in 2024, however in the long run, they benefitted the crew’s efficiency. […] I’m not notably involved about Charles and Lewis. They’ve nice mutual respect and have been discussing this for months. These are nice issues to cope with, and I consider the crew’s competitiveness can even come from their problem.”
Furthermore, it might 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 total weekend method. After all, perfection isn’t 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 proper path.”
Ferrari opens its doorways
The Christmas lunch additionally featured many new faces, notably Deputy Crew 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 Pink Bull to Mercedes, they’ll hold their children in the identical faculty and don’t must promote their home. Apart from gardening depart, you possibly can swap groups virtually in a single day. This isn’t potential for Ferrari.”
“It’s a state of affairs with professionals and cons, however we shouldn’t shut the door to different groups. A part of efficiency comes from information 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 combating for hundredths of a second. Any fraction we are able to achieve from any space is at all times constructive.”
Waiting for 2025
One other scorching subject is the automobile for the brand new 12 months, 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 12 months of those laws and now know the idea effectively. The automobile can be fully new and can have lower than 1% of the elements from the earlier one. It is going to be a completely completely different undertaking, however this would be the case for everybody.”
To contend for the title, the precedence can be scoring vital factors even in powerful moments: “It’s most likely simpler to win if you’re aggressive than to attain factors if you’re in the back of the main pack. I believe Max was very efficient at this this 12 months. Generally he was struggling, however he managed to get well. I believe subsequent 12 months would be the similar story. The highest groups will develop their vehicles, make progress, and we’ll nonetheless have a four-way struggle.”
On this context, Fred Vasseur will make sure the crew learns from the expertise of the previous season: “After the preliminary doubles, everybody thought Pink Bull would win. It was an necessary lesson: the season could be very lengthy and has ups and downs. You may need robust weekends after which drop to seventh or eighth. At sure factors within the season, Max was round sixth or seventh. It’s a great lesson to maintain pushing and creating. […] 2025 can be a problem as a result of in some unspecified time in the future, we’ll must determine whether or not to remain centered on the season or shift to 2026, which is why beginning on the mistaken foot would make every part tougher. Regardless of this, we’ll hold pushing till the final nook of the final race.” – the French supervisor concluded.
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