How Jerome d'Ambrosio is changing Ferrari and helping Lewis Hamilton
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Among Ferrari's trio of high-profile recruits from Mercedes, Jerome d'Ambrosio may not immediately grab the spotlight like Lewis Hamilton or, to a slightly lesser extent, technical director Loic Serra. Both the British driver and the French engineer have sparked significant media attention due to their established success in Formula 1. However, Jerome d'Ambrosio, whom Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur refers to as having “the perfect profile” to serve as his right-hand man, is already making his mark behind the scenes.
Jerome D'Ambrosio officially joined Ferrari as deputy team principal and head of the Ferrari Driver Academy in October. While he is best known within F1 circles for his brief 20-race career as a driver between 2011 and 2012, his influence now extends beyond the cockpit. After retiring from active racing at the end of the 2019-2020 Formula E season, the Belgian motorsport executive transitioned into team management, and by 2023, he was heading Mercedes' young driver program.
His move to Ferrari in October 2024 positioned him as a key figure in the team's future. Given his deep understanding of driver development and team dynamics, his arrival made him an important ally for Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari in January 2025. This new connection between Jerome d'Ambrosio and Lewis Hamilton could be pivotal as they look to strengthen Ferrari's Formula 1 program and guide the team to future success.
Jerome D'Ambrosio mentioned when speaking to digital-only motorsport channel The Race that Lewis Hamilton didn't require assistance in terms of being introduced to the team or getting to know people, highlighting that the Briton is exceptional with people. He added that the team had already warmed to him after just the first day.
However, Jerome d'Ambrosio noted that where his help had been valuable was in supporting Hamilton's team. He explained that drivers don't come to a team alone but bring their own team, management, and support staff with them. Having interacted with Hamilton’s support team in the past, Jerome d'Ambrosio felt it was easier to understand the expectations, background, and areas where things could smoothly integrate into the new environment, as well as what aspects required a slightly different approach due to the new surroundings.
At 39 years old, Jerome d'Ambrosio's involvement in assisting Lewis Hamilton's integration into Ferrari is just a small part of his much broader responsibilities as Fred Vasseur's deputy team principal. While this role has been crucial, the Belgian’s appointment represents much more than just a transitional support role for the seven-time Formula 1 world champion. The position of deputy team principal is firmly established within Ferrari's structure, having previously been held by Laurent Mekies, who served in this capacity from 2021 to 2023 before moving on to become the team principal at Racing Bulls.
Jerome D'Ambrosio, with a background in team leadership in Formula E as the team principal of Venturi, brings far more to the table than simply being an ex-driver who has moved up through the ranks. His career has equipped him with a diverse and robust skill set that extends beyond the racetrack. When discussing Hamilton's arrival, the Belgian emphasizes that his experience as a driver is just one facet of the comprehensive expertise he brings to his role at Ferrari. His understanding of team dynamics, leadership, and driver development is integral to helping the team progress, and his multifaceted background allows him to contribute in ways that go beyond just supporting Hamilton's adaptation to a new environment.
The former Mercedes Driver Development Director explained that while his driving experience allows him to easily empathize with what drivers go through, it's important to recognize the limits of this empathy, particularly when working with drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. He acknowledged that his understanding of the dynamics between driver and team, and what happens when in the car, gives him an advantage in connecting with the drivers. However, he stressed that he must be careful not to overstep by offering advice on driving techniques, as both Hamilton and Leclerc are among the best drivers Formula 1 has ever seen. In fact, he pointed out that Hamilton, being the most successful driver in F1 history, has nothing to learn from anyone in terms of driving.
Jerome D'Ambrosio further clarified that one pitfall he aims to avoid is falling into the trap of offering outdated advice, which is common among some ex-drivers who often refer to how things were done “back in their day.” He emphasized that such comparisons have no place in the current context. The only relevant factor, he concluded, is his ability to build empathy more easily, given his background, without attempting to teach or advise on matters of driving itself.
Jerome d'Ambrosio’s Key Role at Ferrari for the 2025 F1 Season
Jerome d'Ambrosio's role at Ferrari is multifaceted, combining trackside duties with significant responsibilities at the team’s headquarters in Maranello. As part of his commitment to the 2025 Formula 1 season, d'Ambrosio plans to attend 18 races, beginning with the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, he has made the decision to skip the second race in China, citing concerns about its inefficiency.
The remainder of his schedule for the season remains flexible, reflecting the dynamic nature of his position. While his presence at the racetrack is essential, Jerome d'Ambrosio's role extends far beyond just race weekends. At Maranello, he is deeply involved in strategic planning, ensuring Ferrari’s efforts are well-coordinated both on and off the track. His broad scope of duties is designed to enhance team performance, improve driver development, and contribute to the long-term success of Ferrari in Formula 1.
With his extensive background in motorsport and team management, the Belgian’s contributions will be pivotal not only in overseeing race operations but also in shaping Ferrari’s direction throughout the season. His ability to balance trackside responsibilities with his ongoing work at Maranello makes him a crucial figure in Ferrari’s quest for success in 2025.
Jerome D’Ambrosio explained that his goal with Fred Vasseur is to be complementary in their roles. He stated that he would be present at the first race but emphasized that they did not want to leave the factory unstaffed for too long. As a result, their plan is to split responsibilities, with d’Ambrosio staying at home and working at the factory during some of the races. He added that the exact number of races he would attend would depend on the progress of their 2026 project, and they would make a decision towards the end of the season regarding how to handle the final stretch of flyaway races.
Jerome d'Ambrosio’s Evolving Role as Vasseur’s Right-Hand at Ferrari
The plan for Jerome d'Ambrosio's role at Ferrari is to work closely alongside Fred Vasseur, with the intention of splitting the workload and ensuring that d'Ambrosio functions as a reliable second-in-command. While it remains uncertain whether this setup could position d'Ambrosio as a potential successor to Vasseur in the distant future, his future within Ferrari will largely depend on how well he adapts to and progresses in this current role. For the time being, the primary focus of the former Mercedes man is to foster a strong, productive working relationship with Vasseur, who is known for his approachable demeanor but also his fierce, competitive spirit.
This collaboration is crucial for Ferrari as they aim to enhance their performance and continue to challenge for top positions in Formula 1. Jerome d'Ambrosio's success will be measured not only by his ability to support Fred Vasseur in managing the team but also by how effectively he contributes to Ferrari’s long-term strategic objectives. The dynamic between the two will be pivotal in shaping Ferrari’s trajectory as they pursue success on the track, with Jerome d'Ambrosio playing a key role in the team's operations and overall vision for the future.
Jerome D'Ambrosio explained that from the very beginning, he and Fred Vasseur have divided their responsibilities in a way that allows them to effectively manage the team. He noted that there is no rigid structure, as he handles a wide range of topics, from engineering and performance to finance and HR, depending on the team principal's needs.
He further emphasized that their close working relationship is key to their success, as their offices are located directly across from one another, allowing them to communicate frequently—often up to 20 times a day. d'Ambrosio stated that there are no plans to alter this arrangement, as the current setup is working very well for both of them.
The Belgian also clarified that his responsibilities will extend beyond internal team management, as he will take on media duties and play a key role in liaising with both drivers and engineers. His position encompasses a wide range of tasks that mirror those of a team principal, ensuring that all critical areas of Ferrari's F1 operations receive proper attention.
By handling a significant share of these responsibilities, he effectively eases the burden on Fred Vasseur, allowing the team boss to focus on strategic priorities. His involvement in various facets of the organization underscores his importance as a key figure in Ferrari's leadership structure, contributing to both the team’s immediate performance and its long-term vision.
Jerome D'Ambrosio explained that a race weekend involves a wide range of responsibilities for a team principal, spanning from commercial matters to performance-related decisions. He noted that his opportunity to join Ferrari arose partly because Fred Vasseur had been managing an extensive workload, and his role is to provide support wherever necessary to ease that burden.
The Ferrari team principal has placed significant trust in Jerome d'Ambrosio, a testament to his leadership approach that prioritizes clear direction and strategic delegation. One of Vasseur's greatest strengths is his ability to empower those around him, ensuring that key figures like d'Ambrosio can take on substantial responsibilities and contribute effectively to Ferrari's long-term success.
Frederic Vasseur emphasized the significance of d'Ambrosio's role within the team, stating that his diverse background makes him an invaluable asset. He noted that d'Ambrosio brings a wealth of transferable knowledge, having experience as both a Formula 1 driver and a team principal, as well as insights gained from his time at Mercedes. Vasseur expressed confidence that d'Ambrosio would provide crucial support in managing the team and guiding its development, describing their initial months of collaboration as a promising step forward.
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