Ferrari rocked the Components 1 world earlier than the beginning of the 2024 season, reaching an settlement on a contract with seven-time Drivers’ Champion Lewis Hamilton to start driving for the workforce in 2025.
However whereas Hamilton arrived in Maranello to a lot fanfare, the outcomes have but to observe. The dwelling legend has but to safe a grand prix podium this 12 months, and other than a win within the F1 Dash race on the Chinese language Grand Prix and a podium within the F1 Dash on the Miami Grand Prix, the outcomes haven’t matched the hype. Ferrari is locked in a good battle with Mercedes, Hamilton’s former workforce, for second within the Constructors’ Championship race, however they’re miles behind first-place McLaren.
And final weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix was a tough end result for the workforce. Whereas Charles Leclerc began on pole, his tempo within the later levels of the race light as his SF-25 had suffered chassis harm, and he completed a irritating fourth.
As for Hamilton, he certified twelfth and completed twelfth, and gave the impression of a driver who couldn’t watch for the Summer time Shutdown to reach.
In a video interview with the official F1 channel, Crew Principal Frederic Vasseur addressed the workforce’s current, and future.
“I’m actually satisfied that it takes time,” mentioned Vasseur. “It takes time, not simply at Ferrari, however all over the place.
“In case you have a look at any good story in F1 – when Christian [Horner] joined Purple Bull or Jean [Todt] joined Ferrari earlier than – all these good success tales took time earlier than the primary win. Additionally, as a result of that useful resource system within the paddock, you want a few years to construct up a workforce, to accrue folks that you simply wish to have with you. After which it additionally takes time to work collectively.”
Vasseur’s personal tenure with the workforce got here underneath stress earlier this season, when reviews in Italian media surfaced that his place was underneath risk at Ferrari. The workforce put these rumors to relaxation forward of the Hungarian Grand Prix, as Vasseur put pen to paper on a brand new multi-year deal.
Vasseur referred to as the transfer a “good step” for the “stability” of the workforce.
“It’s an excellent step,” he mentioned. “We had a few discussions. There have been some rumors within the press, the final couple of weeks. I feel it’s not straightforward for the soundness and temper of the workforce, however now it’s behind us.
“It’s essential, it’s an excellent step that we’ve to be prepared for the final a part of the season. That we’re combating for P2 within the championship with Mercedes and Purple Bull and we wish to win some races earlier than the top.”
Profitable races in 2025, and beginning 2026 on the entrance foot, is the goal for the workforce.
“We wish to be very agile in Components 1, however the actuality is that we’ve a number of inertia. We’re pushing for this. We have now a transparent goal, a transparent aim. All people within the firm is aligned on this mission and pushing in the identical course. That is most likely the very best feeling, when you’ve got a aim and all people is satisfied we will obtain it,” described the Ferrari boss.
“As standard in a season, you’ve got professionals and cons. You possibly can see the glass half-empty or half-full.
“It’s true that within the championship, we’re in entrance of Purple Bull and we’re in entrance of Mercedes, however we’re additionally a bit distant off McLaren. However I feel, total, we’re enhancing. Bettering on the methodology, on the strategy, on the method. Generally it’s not seen on monitor, day-by-day, however I feel total we’re making steps ahead. It’s essential for us to stay P2 [in the Constructors’ Championship] and to win extra races till the top.”
Nevertheless, the incoming regulation change provides Ferrari an opportunity to start subsequent 12 months on the entrance of the grid.
“The 2026 mission, it’s an enormous problem that we’ve to be all totally aligned collectively to handle it,” mentioned Vasseur.
“It’s not a secret that Ferrari wish to win once more. We have now the goal and the aim could be very, very clear. We are going to do every little thing to realize it. All of us wish to win the championship. We’ve made a good step ahead all over the place, however now we want maybe a bit extra time to place every little thing collectively. The 2026 problem is an efficient alternative.
“We made a step, most likely, in Spa. Now, we’ve to know a bit extra the brand new suspension and to have the ability to fine-tune it. However we at the moment are totally targeted on 2026. Meaning we have to get the very best from what we’ve. I nonetheless wish to win races this season, however the principle a part of the main focus is on 2026.”
