Co-author: Syrine Ferchichi
Speaking ahead of Ferrari’s latest personnel signings officially joining the team, team principal Fred Vasseur discusses what Loic Serra and Jérôme d’Ambrosio bring to the table at Maranello.
With Loïc Serra and Jérôme d’Ambrosio set to officially join Ferrari from the beginning of next month, team principal Fred Vasseur discusses the experience the two incoming men bring to the team. With both men joining the team from Mercedes, this is the latest in a string of high profile personnel moves in recent months.
Speaking to French publication Lequipe Vasseur discussed the decision to take on Serra, noting his experience working at the highest level of motorsport as a defining factor. Serra, who held the role of performance director with Mercedes since 2019, will take on the role of Head of Chassis Performance Engineering next month with the Italian Marque.
“Loïc’s strength lies in his extensive experience at the highest level,” Vasseur stated. “Moreover, he is a true racing man.”
Former Formula 1 and Formula E driver Jérôme d’Ambrosio is also set to join Ferrari from the beginning of next month. With a wealth of experience both on and off track in motorsport, d’Ambrosio presents a strong signing of the team.
Also joining from Mercedes, with whom he held the role of Driver Development Director, having worked closely with Toto Wolff, the Belgian will take up the role of Deputy Team Principal alongside Vasseur, as well as Head of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy.
“It was important for me to have someone with the expertise of Jérôme [d’Ambrosio).” Vasseur said of the Belgian. “He has experienced everything in racing, he’s been a driver, a team manager, and a CEO of a racing team. He knows the business inside out.”
With high profile moves and rumours seemingly daily, Vasseur was also asked about free agent Adrian Newey. With the infamous designer leaving Red Bull in March this year, rumours of his next employer have been near constant, with Aston Martin seeming most likely.
When asked about the team’s opinion on Newey, Vasseur seemed to insinuate Newey was not interested in the position with Ferrari. He did not, however, rule out the possibility of the decorated engineer joining the team in the future.
“Newey probably had a different idea of what I had in mind for him,” Vasseur explained. “Maybe one day we’ll find common ground.”
