Ferrari chief Fred Vasseur implements key change to Leclerc's F1 race preparations
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Charles Leclerc heads into the 2025 Formula 1 season in an intriguing position. While Ferrari is at the center of attention, much of the spotlight is focused elsewhere—on Lewis Hamilton's high-profile arrival. Having spent 17 seasons in F1 and secured seven world championships, Hamilton is no stranger to being in the thick of the action. However, despite Hamilton's experience and accolades, he now faces one of the most formidable challenges of his career in Leclerc—even if the Monegasque driver has only eight Grand Prix victories to his name.
The former Alfa Romeo driver’s strength lies not just in raw talent but in his deep-rooted connection with Ferrari. Aside from his rookie year with Sauber, he has spent the past six seasons refining his skills within the most historic team in F1. Over that time, he established himself by outpacing four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and proving his worth as Ferrari's leading driver. When team principal Frédéric Vasseur orchestrated Hamilton's move to Ferrari, it was clear that Leclerc—not Carlos Sainz—was the teammate he wanted alongside the British superstar.
Fred Vasseur has implemented significant structural changes at Ferrari, many of which have directly benefited Charles Leclerc. Former F1 champion Nico Rosberg credited Fred Vasseur's leadership as a crucial factor in Charles Leclerc's 2024 Monza victory, highlighting how the team's improvements have elevated his performance.
Now, according to journalist Matteo Novembrini, the French manager has gone even further by refining how Charles Leclerc approaches each Grand Prix. When asked about the adjustments made since replacing Mattia Binotto, Matteo Novembrini pointed to one key area of improvement—Ferrari's practice session organization. Under Fred Vasseur's leadership, the team has restructured its practice programs, optimizing car setup time and fine-tuning strategies tailored to Leclerc's driving style. This shift ensures he is better prepared for each race weekend, maximizing his ability to extract performance from the car and challenge at the front.
Matteo Novembrini provided further details, explaining that this year, changes were evident in the operations on track. He mentioned that Vasseur had fostered a shift in methodology, creating a mentality more focused on race preparation. He pointed to free practice sessions as an example, recalling how Leclerc, when making a mistake during FP2 on a Friday, would repeatedly ask to try again. According to Novembrini, in previous years, if a mistake occurred, after two attempts, the team would switch to focusing on the race setup, whereas under Vasseur, there was a stronger emphasis on race aspects starting from Friday itself.
The Italian journalist also noted that when a driver made a mistake with the wrong tire set, there was a noticeable awareness within the team. He appreciated Vasseur’s approach, as the team leader acknowledged Ferrari’s shortcomings, particularly in understanding and addressing their own mistakes. Fred Vasseur's leadership, Novembrini observed, was aimed at eradicating certain old mindsets within the team. While there had been personnel changes, the team had not undergone a complete overhaul.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have already begun conversations about Ferrari’s path to success, with both drivers aligning on a common goal. However, it's clear that Leclerc's rising star is not far behind Hamilton in terms of attention, and should the 27-year-old start outperforming the 40-year-old, the spotlight will likely shift in his direction.
Achieving this won't be a simple task, and Hamilton will be hoping that last season's disappointment—being outscored by his teammate George Russell—is simply a one-off anomaly rather than the beginning of a concerning trend.
Despite the competitive edge Hamilton brings, both he and Leclerc have been engaged in discussions about how to ensure Ferrari's success moving forward. While their objectives align, the strategies to achieve these goals remain a subject of curiosity.
Leclerc has long been known for his exceptional one-lap pace, and with Vasseur's adjustments to the practice schedules, there is potential for the Monegasque driver to further enhance his race-day performance. If Leclerc can learn to replicate the consistency shown by seasoned drivers like Hamilton and Max Verstappen on Sundays, there is every reason to believe that he could become one of the top contenders for the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship.
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