Vasseur: Progress a 'no-end project' at Ferrari
12/24/2024 08:09 AM
Ferrari is gearing up for another fierce battle in 2025, with Scuderia boss Fred Vasseur aiming to continue steering the Italian team in the right direction, while maintaining its momentum and strengthening its foundations.
Ferrari's 2024 campaign showcased a team on the rise, delivering consistent performances that revived hope for their first constructors' title since 2008.
Despite the narrow 14-point defeat to McLaren in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, Vasseur has fostered an atmosphere of optimism and determination at Maranello.
And as he charts the team's course for 2025, the Frenchman is determined to keep pushing the boundaries by relying on a meticulous, step-by-step approach.
"We are trying to improve on every single area of the performance, in every single department of the company. It's small step by small step," Vasseur told Formula1.com's Lawrence Barretto.
"It's not a case of having something with a game-changer – there is no magic bullet. You need to keep this mindset and push everyone in the group to try and do a better job, try to save one gram on each part and this I think we did a good step forward over the last month.
"For sure it's not enough but we are going in the right direction. It's a no-end project, a no-end process to recruit, to develop, to try to do a better job."
Preparing for a Tense 2025 Battle
Vasseur anticipates an intense contest among F1's top teams in 2025, particularly with stable technical regulations in place.
He underscored the importance of bold strategies and innovative approaches as development challenges grow increasingly complex.
©Ferrari
"Everybody is taking risks," Vasseur remarked. "If you don't take risks, you're dead. We know the development of this car, it's never easy as we are at the ascent of the development and it's more and more difficult.
"Everyone is taking risks and we have to take risks also because 2025 will be a strange season. We will have to switch quite early with the 2026 project, which means the car you put on track in Bahrain will be crucial."
A Culture of Continuous Improvement
Under Vasseur's leadership, Ferrari has undergone a cultural shift, fostering an environment that encourages innovation and calculated risk-taking. This approach, he insists, will remain a cornerstone of the team's philosophy moving forward.
"I want to keep the same approach as what we did last year in terms of recruitment, development, continuous improvement," he stated.
"This mindset is part of the DNA of every F1 team. If at one stage you say okay, I'm in good shape, I think it's the beginning of the end.
"You need to push the boundaries on every single area each day and to come each morning to the factory and say, I need to do a better job than yesterday. If you have this approach, I think you're on the right way."
Hamilton Joins the Fold
Adding to the Scuderia's momentum is the arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who joins the team in 2025 on a multi-year deal. Vasseur sees Hamilton's experience as a significant asset in the team's evolution.
"It will be a step into the construction of the team or development of the team," Vasseur said. "He's coming with his own experience, his own background and this will be helpful for the development of the team.
"It will be helpful for Charles [Leclerc] and it will be helpful for the engineers – and we have to take it as another step going in the right direction. It's positive for us."
©Ferrari
With an energized team culture, a strong 2024 foundation, and the addition of a seasoned champion in Hamilton, Ferrari is positioning itself as a formidable contender in 2025.
While the challenge ahead is daunting, Vasseur's pragmatic yet ambitious leadership has given fans of the Scuderia reason to believe that glory could soon return to Maranello.
For the House of Maranello, 2025 isn't just another season – it's an opportunity to reclaim their place at the pinnacle of Formula 1.
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