The surprising declaration by Hamilton that he will leave Mercedes and join Scuderia in 2025 has brought new life to the stagnant Formula 1 driver market. Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur acknowledges the initial excitement surrounding Hamilton’s arrival, but emphasizes the importance of focusing on the upcoming season instead of getting involved in future plans. There are doubts about Ferrari’s ability to produce a competitive car that can challenge for championships, especially as Hamilton seeks his historic eighth driver’s title. However, Vasseur believes it is crucial to address current issues and concentrate on 2024 before thinking about 2025.
Ferrari had a difficult start to the 2023 season due to reliability issues, costing them valuable points. Charles Leclerc failed to finish two of the first three races. However, their performance improved as the season progressed, with Leclerc and Carlos Sainz securing podium finishes. Sainz even secured the team’s only victory of the season at the Singapore Grand Prix. Vasseur wants to carry that momentum into the current year and reduce the gap to Red Bull.
Vasseur acknowledges that last year was challenging for all teams except Red Bull. He recognizes the significant task ahead for Ferrari but is optimistic about the progress they made towards the end of the 2023 season. Building on that progress is the main focus for the 2024 season. With stable regulations, this year offers an opportunity for teams to close in on and compete with each other.
When asked about the possibility of the field closing in on Red Bull, Vasseur is uncertain but believes that all other teams will come closer under the same regulations. He predicts a convergence of performance in the next five years.
