Fred Vasseur reflects on Ferrari's past struggles and inheriting a team in "real trauma"

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Frederic Vasseur Reveals Ferrari's Struggles: Restoring Confidence After a "Traumatic" F1 Past

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has shed light on the state of the team he took over in late 2022, describing a squad that had lost its confidence due to the lingering "trauma" of past Formula 1 disappointments.

The French manager stepped into the role following the departure of Mattia Binotto, whose final season in charge started with high expectations but ended in frustration. After falling short in the 2021 title race, Ferrari capitalized on the sweeping regulation changes to produce a front-running car for 2022. The Scuderia emerged as an early favorite, leading the championship battle over the first five rounds. However, despite a promising start, the team struggled to maintain its momentum, allowing Red Bull to dominate and clinch both titles well before the season's conclusion.

Persistent reliability issues and costly strategic errors compounded Ferrari's downfall, ultimately leading to a staggering 205-point deficit to Red Bull. The team failed to secure a single victory in the final 11 races, highlighting the extent of its collapse.

Reflecting on the situation he inherited, Frederic Vasseur admitted that the dramatic unraveling of Ferrari's title challenge had deeply impacted the morale within the organization. His primary task upon arrival was to rebuild trust and restore a winning mentality within the legendary Maranello-based squad.

In a recent interview for car magazine AutoHebdo, the French manager explained that Ferrari had begun its 2022 project six months ahead of its rivals but ultimately regarded finishing as runners-up as a failure.

The former Alfa Romeo team boss explained that the disappointment of that season had left the team in a state of “real trauma,” making it necessary to restore a sense of calm and stability. His priority was to rebuild confidence, as he did not want a team operating under fear. Fred Vasseur noted that this process was established quickly, as he was already familiar with many people at Ferrari, which made integrating into the team easier. He emphasized that he was not starting entirely from scratch.

While he acknowledged that 2022 had been a strong season in terms of results, it was widely perceived as a missed opportunity. Ferrari had demonstrated a competitive edge but had failed to convert it into sustained success, which had led to significant frustration within the team.

Ferrari’s Ambitious 2025 F1 Title Goals: Fred Vasseur's Approach Leading the Charge

Fred Vasseur’s leadership at Ferrari has played a key role in stabilizing the team's direction, cultivating an environment where risk-taking is encouraged without the fear of blame. His steadying influence has been instrumental in reshaping the team's mindset, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and innovation. Despite not yet ending Ferrari's prolonged title drought, the team’s response to the challenges faced in the 2024 season has demonstrated the value of the culture Fred Vasseur has built.

Though Ferrari fell just 14 points short of McLaren, who clinched the championship, Fred Vasseur remains resolute in his belief that aiming for both titles in 2025 is the team's ultimate goal. He highlighted the efforts made over the past six months, explaining that significant progress had been made with the SF-25 car, further underscoring the commitment and improvements made within the team. However, Vasseur tempered expectations, acknowledging that the true measure of the team's performance would come when all cars take to the track in Melbourne for the season opener.

The Frenchman emphasized that Ferrari's goal is to fight for both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships in 2025, noting that the team has two capable drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who are more than capable of challenging for the titles. The mood within the team remains highly positive, with a strong belief that they can compete at the highest level. Fred Vasseur reassured that the team would continue to put in the hard work required to ensure they are fully prepared for the start of the season in just two weeks' time.

With Ferrari focused on making significant strides in 2025, the team remains determined to shake off the disappointments of the past and build a foundation for success, using the lessons learned from the 2024 season to fuel their pursuit of Formula 1 glory.

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