‘Big differences’ D’Ambrosio noticed at Ferrari since leaving Mercedes – Jérôme D’Ambrosio, the former Formula 1 driver and now Deputy Team Principal at Ferrari, has opened up about the stark contrasts he has observed between his current team and his previous employer, Mercedes. Having moved from Brackley to Maranello, D’Ambrosio has been immersed in the Ferrari culture for several months now, and he admits that the differences go beyond the operational aspects – they extend to the very nature of the team and its connection with the fans.
As Ferrari gears up for an ambitious 2025 season, D’Ambrosio’s insights offer a unique perspective on what sets the Scuderia apart from its rivals. His comments come at a time when Ferrari are making big moves, not only in terms of personnel, but also in their pursuit of championship glory.
With the arrival of Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes and Loïc Serra taking on a key technical role, the Italian outfit are undergoing a transformation as they look to regain their former dominance.
Newey to change his style of working at Aston Martin
From Brackley to Maranello: A new environment
D’Ambrosio’s transition to Ferrari has been swift. Since joining the team on 1 October, he has had little time to settle in, as he was immediately thrust into the intensity of Ferrari’s fight for the Constructors’ Championship. Reflecting on his move, he admitted that while the adjustment has been swift, the experience has already felt much longer than the few months he has spent in his new role.
“It’s been a few months, but I feel it’s been a lot longer,” he said in an interview following Ferrari’s first test of the 2025 season. “I joined the team on 1 October last year, in the middle of the fight for the Constructors’ Championship. So I was quite busy, then I had a short winter and here we are again.
While every Formula One team operates differently, the cultural and geographical differences between Ferrari and Mercedes stand out.
“Yes, of course there are differences. Every team is different,” he explains. “There’s also a difference in location between the UK and Italy, so there’s a big difference there in terms of the overall feel and engagement with the fans.”
Ferrari’s unique fan engagement
One of the biggest contrasts D’Ambrosio has noticed since joining Ferrari is the deep-rooted passion the team inspires in its fans. Unlike Mercedes, where success has often been measured in a more clinical and results-driven manner, Ferrari embodies an emotional connection to the sport that goes beyond the paddock.
“I think Ferrari is very special in that sense, in a good way. It’s very different,” he said. “There is a whole city and a whole country that lives for racing and for Ferrari. It’s a great motivation to have all the fans and that culture here.
Ferrari has long been synonymous with Formula One and its influence in Italy is unparalleled. The Scuderia is not just a racing team – it is a national institution, a symbol of pride for millions of Italians. Whether it’s in the stands at Monza or on the streets of Maranello, Ferrari’s presence is omnipresent, and it’s this fervour that D’Ambrosio finds inspiring.
This intense support contrasts with the more corporate approach of Mercedes. While Mercedes has built a dominant empire over the past decade, the team’s engagement with fans has often been seen as more structured and reserved compared to Ferrari’s deeply passionate following.
Ferrari’s new-look leadership
D’Ambrosio is not the only high-profile figure to have left Mercedes for Ferrari. The team has undergone a significant leadership reshuffle, with Lewis Hamilton making his much-anticipated move from the Silver Arrows and Loïc Serra appointed as Ferrari’s technical director. These strategic acquisitions indicate Ferrari’s intention to challenge Red Bull and reclaim its championship-winning pedigree.
Hamilton’s arrival is particularly symbolic as the seven-time world champion looks to bring his wealth of experience to the Prancing Horse. With D’Ambrosio in a key managerial role, the team is undergoing a cultural change that could prove decisive in the years to come.
Aiming for championship glory
Ferrari’s last Constructors’ Championship triumph came in 2008 and, despite flashes of competitiveness in recent years, the Scuderia has struggled to mount a sustained challenge for the title. With Red Bull and Mercedes continuing to set the benchmark, Ferrari are determined to close the gap, and D’Ambrosio’s observations of the team’s energy and commitment suggest a renewed sense of purpose.
The 2025 season presents a fresh opportunity for Ferrari to reassert itself at the top of the grid. The additions of Hamilton and Serra, combined with the leadership of Fred Vasseur and D’Ambrosio, could be the catalyst Ferrari needs to break its championship drought.
As D’Ambrosio settles into his role at Maranello, his perspective offers an insight into how Ferrari operates differently to its rivals. While Mercedes’ success has been built on precision and efficiency, Ferrari’s strength lies in its passion, heritage and the unwavering support of its fans.
As a new era unfolds at Ferrari, all eyes will be on how these changes translate into on-track performance. If D’Ambrosio’s early impressions are anything to go by, the Scuderia could be on the verge of something special.
READ MORE – Marko confirms rumour about Verstappen exit
MORE F1 NEWS – Carlos Sainz calls out the FIA
Carlos Sainz was last year the victim of a global merging of brands as Lewis Hamilton picked up the phone to Ferrari chairman. John Elkann, to see if there was room at the inn in Maranello. The Brackley based outfit were responsible for handing Lewis six of his seven world titles, but they bit the buffers when the new ground effect regulations came into force in 2022.
Hamilton finished third in the drivers title race in 2023 and signed a a contract extension late on the year, which was announced a ‘multi year deal’, yet while the ink was still wet Hamilton decided the Mercedes team were not solving the problems which would return him to wining ways.
The victim in all this was Carlos Sainz, who had established himself firmly in the Ferrari F1 setup and whilst not quite delivering the results of his team mate Charles Leclerc, the Spaniard was no number two to the Monegasque. In fact Sainz and Leclerc have different driving styles and often when one would struggle over a race weekend, the other would perform well…. READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
