Following Enzo Ferrari’s legacy, Ferrari is wishing for yet another title this year. While that dream may seem distant now, it’s never too late to bounce back, is it? The changes within the team and upgrade plans for the cars are keeping the Maranello squad busy. Meanwhile, team boss Fred Vasseur is looking ahead at the important development decisions his team will be making soon.

A team like Ferrari with abundant resources yet failing to deliver in crucial races has become a problem. However, setbacks aren’t holding off Vasseur. Now, in his 18th month with the team, Fred Vasseur is planning a major shift in the scenario. But would that lead to Ferrari taking away the titles? We must wait till 2025 and beyond to know. In an exclusive FormulaPassion interview, the Frenchman addressed whether Ferrari should aim for 2025.

Fred Vasseur noted, “If in the first months of 2025 someone was in ninth place in the championship, it wouldn’t make sense to spend too many resources for that season.” He contrasted this with 2021, where Red Bull and Mercedes continually upgraded while “Ferrari was more focused on 2022 at the time.” Ferrari and Charles Leclerc led early in 2022, but Vasseur emphasized, “The results that are obtained during this or next season are important for the future. It’s not that what you do now will not have repercussions later on.”

This approach diverges from former team boss Mattia Binotto’s 2021 strategy, which prioritized the 2022 regulations over the ongoing season of 2021. Compared to 2020, the 2021 season was better for Ferrari. However, the outcome wasn’t to their liking. So, keeping his eyes on 2025 and also on the upcoming revolution of F1 in 2026, Fred Vasseur is now mapping his plans. After all, future results depend on the perfection of the executions at present.

Mattia Binotto’s contribution and Fred Vasseur’s vision for Ferrari

Mattia Binotto‘s tenure at Ferrari saw challenges, including a disappointing 2020 when they finished 6th in the Constructors’ Standings. While 2021 and 2022 showed improvement, Ferrari was still behind Mercedes and Red Bull. Fred Vasseur took over in 2023, and Ferrari’s success has improved over the past year and a half. Maybe a change in power has also altered the strategies and working for the team.

Vasseur emphasizes balancing resources between current performance and future development. He suggests not over-investing in a season if results aren’t promising early on. Whereas Binotto’s strategy often prioritized long-term gains, sometimes even at the expense of immediate performance. However, we cannot overlook Binotto’s contribution to the Red Squad. He was the one who nurtured Charles Leclerc’s potential and brought Carlos Sainz into the team in 2021, and this pairing has worked out for Ferrari.

Of course, Fred Vasseur’s way of working ought to be different from Mattia Binotto’s. Surprisingly, the former boss’s tests and trials are bearing the results now. But the ‘damage’ from 4-5 years ago cannot be undone. Now it’s time for Fred Vasseur to bring Ferrari back to the top. With his biggest strategic move of poaching Lewis Hamilton, the Frenchman is surely plotting strategies not just for 2025 but beyond.

Now, Ferrari is desperately looking for its redemption arc, and 2026 could be their era all over again – reliving the days of glory. But all the inquiries must wait until next year. Until then – What do you think will Ferrari be like in 2025? Share in the comments.