Impact of Loic Serra, role of Jerome d'Ambrosio, 2026 F1 engine: Fred Vasseur's incomplete Ferrari
Yesterday at 11:55 AM
A strong sense of renewal was in the air at the Fiorano Christmas lunch last week. The new faces roaming the room immediately catch the eye, particularly Vice Team Principal Jerome d'Ambrosio and Technical Director Loic Serra, not to mention Diego Ioverno, promoted to Sporting Director in 2023. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur is shaping his team, continuing a process that began two years ago and is far from complete.
Among the newcomers, Jerome d'Ambrosio stands out for his naturalness, charisma, eloquence, and fluency in impeccable Italian. Beyond the allure of the Prancing Horse, the opportunity for him and his wife to move to Italy was a major factor in his arrival at Ferrari. The Belgian has no shortage of words, immediately sharing a couple of anecdotes that illustrate how he has already experienced the warmth and special treatment that the people of Emilia reserve for the champions of Maranello.
The Vice Team Principal has already taken up an office opposite Frederic Vasseur's, at least for when he is at headquarters, as in the 2025 Formula 1 championship, he will follow between 18 and 20 races on-site. In his own words, the establishment of the vice position reflects "a proactive rather than reactive approach." The Belgian will not fill in during the Team Principal's absences but will primarily handle delegated tasks, including marketing, communication, finance, and hiring. The division of roles confirms what Jerome d'Ambrosio has stated and what others have noted before him. Over two years, Frederic Vasseur has distinguished himself for his ability to delegate: present and extremely approachable but far from being a centralizing or overly controlling figure. These qualities have made him increasingly appreciated in Maranello.
Another key figure of the day is Loic Serra, a product of the Mercedes school and recently appointed Technical Director. Calm and courteous in demeanor, the Frenchman officially took office on October 1. The new director has already worked on the 2025 Ferrari single-seater, a project that was largely set up before his arrival. However, his influence will be most evident on the 2026 car, which is expected to enter the wind tunnel shortly.
There is great curiosity to see in action a figure whose expertise lies more in vehicle dynamics than aerodynamics. During lunch conversations, Loic Serra remains diplomatic, assuring that he will not impose his approach but will integrate gradually into the current structure. His specialization will lead him to lay the conceptual foundations for future Ferrari cars, working closely with other technical leaders to find the best solutions to achieve set goals. In particular, Loic Serra will collaborate closely with Diego Tondi, the new head of aerodynamics since August. Together, they will seek that delicate balance between aerodynamics, balance, and drivability that has been missing in recent Ferraris, building on the first signs of a turnaround observed in 2024.
Another figure with whom Loic Serra will interact is the head of the engine division, Enrico Gualtieri, who was also present at the Christmas lunch. The Italian engineer’s focus is entirely on the 2026 Formula 1 project, aiming to interpret a prescriptive regulation that still leaves room for creativity, both in the internal combustion engine and the electrical components. According to the Italian engineer, the challenge will not only lie in maximum power. The 350 kilowatt hybrid will require a larger battery and a cooling system capable of dissipating nine times the current heat, making the installation of the power unit in the car significantly challenging. Hence the importance of interaction with other technical departments.
Crucial will be the harmony established among Diego Tondi, Loic Serra, and Enrico Gualtieri, tasked with determining the best concept for the Ferrari under the new regulations. The key factor will be the ability to extend the electric motor’s power delivery on the straight for as long as possible before switching to recharge mode. However, this will depend on consumption, drag, and the level of aerodynamic load—characteristics that the three will jointly define for the 2026 Ferrari car, the first project to be fully developed under the new technical direction.
The 2024 Christmas lunch reflects a Ferrari that, according to Frederic Vasseur's metaphor, is opening its doors. The aim is to absorb culture and expertise from competitors, overcoming the isolation that the Prancing Horse currently faces: The Team Principal noted that, in the United Kingdom, there are seven teams within a 50-kilometer radius, with McLaren being slightly farther out. He explained that if someone wanted to move from Red Bull to Mercedes, they could keep their children in the same school and avoid changing houses. He also pointed out that, excluding gardening leave, it is possible to switch teams almost immediately, a flexibility that is not available to Ferrari.
Two years after his arrival in Maranello, Frederic Vasseur can finally rely on the personnel he has chosen. It took time, and during the meal, the Frenchman reflected on the inertia of change in Formula 1. His first contacts with Loic Serra date back to early 2023, and between contract timelines and gardening leave, the Team Principal wondered if he would live to see the hires he initiated come to fruition.
Setting up a long-term project requires above all the trust of the management, indispensable for implementing actions that were impossible in the past due to the many, too many, leadership changes. The 2025 Ferrari single-seater is finally Fred Vasseur's first true creation, but it remains incomplete. The Team Principal keeps emphasizing that building a team is an endless process, even though the current Prancing Horse embodies his vision more than ever before.
— see video above —
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