Ferrari Confirms Start Date For Two Major Mercedes Signings
May 13, 2024
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Following the announcement of seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton’s upcoming departure to Ferrari in 2025, the Maranello-based squad has officially welcomed two former Mercedes operatives to their team.
The iconic Italian team has confirmed the appointments of two significant figures from rival team Mercedes. Loic Serra and Jerome d’Ambrosio will begin work with Ferrari on 1st October, reinforcing Team Principal Fred Vasseur’s commitment to revitalizing the team. The press release from the team stated:
“Scuderia Ferrari HP is pleased to announce it is further strengthening the team with the arrival of Loic Serra and Jerome d’Ambrosio, both coming from the Mercedes AMG F1 team.”
Loic Serra will take over as the Head of Chassis Performance Engineering at Ferrari. With a comprehensive background that spans from Michelin to BMW-Sauber F1, and most critically, a significant tenure at Mercedes AMG F1, Serra’s expertise in aerodynamic development and operations is expected to drive considerable advancements in Ferrari’s vehicle performance.
The (16) Ferrari SF-24 of Charles Leclerc of Monaco on the grid during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 4, 2024 in Miami, United States…. The (16) Ferrari SF-24 of Charles Leclerc of Monaco on the grid during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 4, 2024 in Miami, United States. Ferrari confirms the signing of two ex-Mercedes personnel.
Song Haiyuan/MB Media/Getty Images
Jerome d’Ambrosio joins as the Deputy Team Principal and also as the Head of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy. D’Ambrosio, whose experience includes not only roles at Mercedes but also practical racing experience in Formula One and Formula E, brings a valuable dual perspective. His leadership of the Ferrari Driver Academy is anticipated to enrich the development pipeline, ensuring that Ferrari not only remains competitive on the track today but also nurtures future talent.
The context in which these hirings have been made cannot be overlooked. Coming off the back of the shocking news of Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025 on a multi-year contract, these new appointments are part of a broader scheme to enhance performance and to also drain a rival top team of its talent.
Formula One is heading to Italy this weekend for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the iconic Imola circuit. Ferrari enters the race weekend in second position in the Constructors’ Standings behind Red Bull which has a 52-point lead. The Maranello-based squad was the only team to beat Red Bull in the 2023 season with Carlos Sainz’s victory in Singapore, and were also the first to beat the Austrian team this year before Lando Norris’s maiden win with McLaren in Miami.
Mercedes, on the other hand, has been struggling during the current ground effect era. The Brackley-based squad continues to try and extract as much performance out of the W15 as possible, but they are currently struggling to fight it out at the front of the grid. This, combined with Hamilton’s upcoming exit, could be what has spurred on staff exits.
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