Ferrari fell short of clinching the constructors’ championship in 2024, narrowly missing out by only 14 points to McLaren. In an interview with BBC Sport, Frederic Vasseur made it clear that their benchmark for success was nothing less than being crowned champions.
Discussing their driving talent, Vasseur extolled the strengths of Charles Leclerc, who many tout as the fastest in qualifying, alongside Lewis Hamilton, the most successful driver in the sport’s history. He described this duo as a strong foundation for the team. “Having them both is a good problem to have,” Vasseur explained. “Their collaboration and mutual respect are essential components of our team’s performance.”
Both Hamilton and Leclerc are keenly eyeing the chance to deliver Ferrari its first drivers’ title since 2007, with Leclerc showing optimism about their prospects. Hamilton, however, emphasized the importance of staying grounded. “It’s crucial not to get ahead of ourselves,” he noted. “While we don’t know how our competitors will fare, we’re committed to focusing on one step at a time.”
Hamilton is still familiarizing himself with the Ferrari setup, which he acknowledges is quite different from what he’s known in recent years. “Adapting to the way things work here is a learning curve,” he admitted, reflecting on a decade spent mastering other systems.
Since joining Ferrari, Hamilton has infused the team with fresh energy, a sentiment echoed by Vasseur. Meanwhile, Leclerc was pleased with his initial experience with the car, feeling positive about Hamilton’s timely arrival and Vasseur’s transformative efforts over the past couple of years.
“Fred knows how to maintain a balanced emotional environment within the team,” Leclerc observed. “We’ve been much more stable in recent years, and having Lewis onboard has been a huge uplift. It’s rewarding to see everyone so focused and clear on the direction we need to go.”
The team has been concentrating on enhancing the car’s performance by fine-tuning various aspects. Hamilton acknowledged his teammate’s deep integration with the Ferrari team, recognizing Leclerc’s speed and potential. “I’m fully aware of Charles’ capabilities,” Hamilton remarked. “It won’t be easy competing against him, but I’m looking forward to our collaboration and some thrilling races ahead.”
