‘We have to improve everywhere’ – Vasseur targets major step forward for Ferrari after near-miss in constructors’ battle

Fred Vasseur has shared his ambition that Ferrari can significantly improve next season to once again be in the fight for – and hopefully win – the constructors’ title after McLaren claimed it by a small margin in Abu Dhabi.

The Maranello outfit extracted all the performance they could from their car around the Yas Marina Circuit, with Charles Leclerc surging through the field from P19 to P3 and Carlos Sainz taking his ninth podium of the season in P2.

However, it was not enough to overhaul McLaren’s lead in the standings – even with Oscar Piastri dropping down the order to 10th, a race victory was all the papaya team needed to secure their first constructors’ title in 26 years.

Ferrari ultimately lost out by just 14 points, but still had a remarkably successful season as they claimed their highest number of race wins since 2018, back when Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen drove for the team.

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Speaking after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Vasseur said: “For sure it’s a mixed feeling because I think overall we did a good season – much better than last year, much better than before.

“I’m very proud of the job done this season. I’m also very happy with what we did today because I think we did the maximum of what we could do, but it’s also a bit frustrating to finish like this.

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“I have to start with congratulations to McLaren! It’s quite sincere, honestly I think they did a very good job. We have a good relationship and I’m very happy for them but it’s also frustrating for us.”

He added that the team have taken a “huge step forward” in 2024, with both drivers able to consistently fight for podium finishes despite experiencing some fluctuations in the car’s performance from track to track.

Carlos Sainz and Third placed Charles Leclerc celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 08, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) — Ferrari had both drivers on the podium three times in the final six races

They added 246 points to their tally from last year and took full advantage of the season having some of the tightest competition in recent memory, but Vasseur explained that their achievements still were “not enough to be world champion”.

He said: “It means we have to do another push for next year to buy a couple of tenths – better reliability, better everything, because we have to improve everywhere. But I think we are on the right way. The team is motivated and we start to prepare for 2025.”

Sainz is set to make way for seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton next season, who is concluding a remarkable 12-year stint with Mercedes to embark on a new chapter with Ferrari.

Vasseur was keen to celebrate the Spaniard’s four years with the team, summarising that he was “a mega part of the performance” both on and off the track before he wished him “all the best for the future” at Williams, where he will be a key part of the mission to take the historic team back to the front of the grid.