Ferrari’s ace driver, Charles Leclerc, attributes the team’s newfound resilience in Formula 1 to improved “emotional management” under the stewardship of Fred Vasseur. This profound shift in team dynamics, he suggests, has enabled Ferrari to tackle complications head-on and recover from setbacks more efficiently than in previous seasons.
The previous season saw Ferrari emerge as the primary contender against Red Bull’s supremacy. They showcased their prowess with a redesigned SF-24 that led them to ten podium finishes and two victories in the initial eight races. However, a few hiccups along the way, particularly speed-induced bouncing issues after updates in Spain, led to a mid-season downturn. This dip in performance cost them the opportunity to exploit Red Bull’s faltering performance.
Ferrari’s response was swift and strategic. They introduced further advancements at Monza, which sparked a late resurgence that led the team to accumulate the highest points across the grid in the final eight races. Despite this commendable comeback, it still fell short of dethroning McLaren for the Constructors’ title.
Leclerc, however, disagrees with the notion that this temporary slump was the sole reason for their missed title opportunity. In his view, the issue lay in Ferrari’s inconsistent competitiveness throughout the 2024 season. He emphasized the importance of a strong start to ensure they are on an even keel with the frontrunners and ready to compete from the get-go in the upcoming season.
Leclerc stated, “We were just not competitive enough for too big a part of the season. We definitely need to start these first races straight away on top, or at least fighting with the others.”
Ferrari was not the only team to face unexpected road bumps last season. F1 giants Mercedes and Red Bull also had their share of difficulties. However, Leclerc believes Ferrari is better equipped to handle such issues, thanks to the composed atmosphere Vasseur has fostered within the team.
Leclerc further explained, “In those cases, I think the approach to solving the problem is super important and I think we became much more solid at it, and that is to come back on the team mentality and the way we approach problems and the emotion management within teams. We’ve improved a lot and I think that has made the difference in recovering quicker whenever we get in those moments that are a bit more difficult to manage.”
As Ferrari gears up for the new season with their new SF-25 car, Leclerc applauds the team’s efforts in the latter half of the previous season. He expressed his optimism that this momentum would be a strong foundation for a robust start to the new season.
According to Charles Leclerc, the significant improvement in Ferrari’s performance and problem-solving approach testifies to the healthier team environment created by Fred Vasseur. This transformation, he believes, has been instrumental in helping the team bounce back more rapidly from hard times. As the new season beckons, Ferrari and Leclerc seem poised and ready to take on their rivals with renewed vigor and a resilient mindset.
