Domenicali: 'I'm sure Vasseur, Hamilton, and Leclerc have a plan' for Ferrari's comeback

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has dismissed the negativity surrounding Ferrari after a disappointing 2024 season, expressing unwavering faith in the team's ability to bounce back. The former Ferrari team principal insists that team boss Fred Vasseur and drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have a clear plan for revival. Domenicali stressed that reacting to their fourth-place finish is crucial, not accepting it as the new normal.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's performance is intrinsically linked to the overall spectacle and commercial appeal of Formula 1. A strong, competitive Scuderia is vital for the sport, especially with a global superstar like Lewis Hamilton joining the team. Domenicali's public confidence, as the head of F1, serves to reassure fans and stakeholders that the sport's most iconic team is actively working to return to the front.

The details:

• Domenicali, who led Ferrari from 2008-2014, told Sky Sports, "I'm a positive guy. I think that there's no need to cry. There's no need to always be negative."
• He explicitly placed his trust in the team's new leadership structure: "I'm sure that Fred and Lewis and Charles have a plan, and that's what's important."
• The F1 CEO emphasized the need for a strong response, stating it's "important to react, not to fade away as if it were normal to be fourth in the championship."
• He also cautioned against making predictions for the 2025 season, adding, "next year everyone is talking, but no one knows where we are."

Looking Ahead:

The pressure is now on Vasseur and his drivers to deliver on this presumed plan during the winter break and translate it into a competitive car for 2025. The upcoming season will be a critical test, with Hamilton's highly anticipated move to Maranello already generating immense scrutiny. Interestingly, former Ferrari critic Jacques Villeneuve has chosen to remain silent on the team's prospects, a stark contrast to his previous commentary, perhaps waiting to see if Domenicali's confidence is justified.