Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has revealed that the team he inherited in late 2022 was devoid of confidence due to the “trauma” associated with previous Formula 1 failures.
Vasseur succeeded the outgoing Mattia Binotto, whose last campaign at the helm began with much promise but soon petered out to end with more bitter disappointment.
Having not been in contention during 2021, the Italian marque capitalised on investing in an extensive overhaul to the rules to start the next campaign with the benchmark car.
But while the team led the standings over the opening five races, Ferrari was unable to sustain the challenge as Red Bull took both championships with several races to spare.
The Maranello-based squad was made to rue reliability woes and strategic mishaps, culminating in a 205-point loss to Red Bull as it failed to win across the last 11 rounds.
Vasseur has recalled how the calamitous manner in which Ferrari’s title bid unravelled that season had a damaging impact on the group that he was tasked with reviving.
“They had started the project (2022) six months before anyone else, and they experienced their runner-up spot as a failure,” Vasseur told AutoHebdo.
“There was a real trauma and we had to restore calm and serenity. I didn’t want a team run by fear, and restoring confidence was the absolute priority.
“It was established very quickly. I already knew quite a few people at Ferrari and it was easy to make contact. It’s not as if I was starting from scratch.
“2022 had been a great season in terms of results, but it had been seen as a missed opportunity. In 2022, Ferrari showed an advantage that it was unable to capitalise on.
“That was source of a lot of frustration within the team.”
Ferrari targeting 2025 F1 title double
Vasseur’s calming presence has steadied the ship at Ferrari as he has cultivated an environment where staff are encouraged to take risks without a blame culture attached.
But while that hasn’t delivered an end to the squad’s protracted title drought, Ferrari’s response to its mid-season setback in 2024 vindicated the approach that he’s installed.
Having ended 14 points short behind eventual champions McLaren, Vasseur has acknowledged that being in contention to win both championships must be the target.
“Over the past six months, we have worked very hard on this car [the SF-25] and have made a good improvement,” Vasseur said.
“But we will have to wait until we are all on track in Melbourne to understand where we are.
“We want to fight for both championships, as we know we have two drivers who can do it, and the mood in the team is very positive.
“We will continue to work hard to be ready in two weeks’ time for the start of the season.”
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