Though he may not have made as many headlines as Lewis Hamilton or technical director Loic Serra, Jerome d’Ambrosio, the lesser-known recruit from Mercedes to the Ferrari Formula 1 team, is making waves. Fred Vasseur, team principal, hails him as carrying “the perfect profile” for his deputy, acknowledging the significant impact d’Ambrosio has made since his arrival.
A veteran of a 20-race career in F1 during 2011-12, d’Ambrosio transitioned into team management following his retirement from driving at the end of the 2019-2020 Formula E season. In 2023, he headed Mercedes’ young driver program. His entry into Ferrari’s ranks in October made him an invaluable ally for Hamilton when the latter joined Maranello in January.
Despite Hamilton’s impressive interpersonal skills, d’Ambrosio’s familiarity with his support team has been instrumental in easing his transition into the team. However, d’Ambrosio’s contribution extends far beyond this, with a pivotal role as Vasseur’s deputy that encompasses a diverse range of responsibilities.
In the Ferrari hierarchy, the deputy team principal is a significant role, previously filled by Laurent Mekies from 2021 to 2023, now Racing Bulls team principal. D’Ambrosio, with his experience as a team boss in Formula E with Venturi, brings a substantial skillset to the table. His experience as a driver, while contributing to his understanding of team dynamics and driver needs, is only one aspect of his role.
D’Ambrosio is slated to attend 18 races, beginning with the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, his primary role lies at Maranello, where he will share responsibilities with Vasseur, ensuring the factory is not left unattended for extended periods. This division of tasks is integral to their working relationship, allowing them to cover a broad spectrum of areas from engineering to finance and HR.
D’Ambrosio’s role is not only pivotal at the track but also crucial in managing the team’s operations at the factory. His diverse responsibilities touch on all aspects of the team principal job, significantly easing the workload on Vasseur. His appointment was a strategic move to support a stretched-thin Vasseur, and d’Ambrosio’s contribution to the team’s management evolution is already showing positive results.
D’Ambrosio’s track record as an F1 driver, while brief, was notable. His stint with Virgin in 2011 and a one-off with Lotus in 2012, replacing the banned Romain Grosjean at Monza, showcased his potential. Despite some challenging circumstances, including dealing with a difficult car and high-degradation Pirelli rubber, his professionalism and intelligent approach left a lasting impression.
Even as d’Ambrosio transitions into management, his driving experience and understanding of the sport continue to shape his role. His journey from driver to deputy team principal is a testament to his versatility and drive. As he navigates his new role at Ferrari, his progress will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the team’s future.