Hamilton’s Mercedes Divorce Getting Messy As Ferrari Poach Key Duo

Scuderia Ferrari HP has today announced 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 takes on the role of Head of Chassis Performance Engineering, reporting to Enrico Cardile, overseeing various areas in Maranello, including Track Engineering, Aero Development, Aero Operations and Vehicle Performance. Loic was born in France in 1972 and has a degree in mechanical engineering after studying in Aix-en-Provence and Paris. After university, he worked for Michelin and then the BMW-Sauber and Mercedes AMG Formula 1 teams.

Jerome d’Ambrosio joins in the role of Deputy Team Principal, reporting directly to Fred Vasseur. D’Ambrosio is also appointed Head of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, the Maranello marque’s young driver programme. Jerome was born in Belgium in 1985 and was a professional racing driver up until 2020. His palmares includes a win in GP2, three in Formula E and he also drove in 20 Formula 1 Grands Prix from 2011 to 2012. At Mercedes, he worked alongside Team Principal Toto Wolff and ran the Stuttgart firm’s young driver programme.

Loic Serra and Jerome d’Ambrosio will both start working with Scuderia Ferrari HP on 1st October.

The addition of Loic Serra and Jerome d’Ambrosio to Scuderia Ferrari represents a significant bolstering of the team’s technical and leadership capabilities. With Serra’s extensive experience in chassis performance engineering, he is expected to bring a wealth of knowledge that will enhance Ferrari’s ability to compete at the highest levels of Formula 1. His expertise, particularly in the areas of aero development and vehicle performance, will be crucial as the team continues to develop their car in an era where aerodynamics play a pivotal role in performance.

Jerome d’Ambrosio’s dual role as Deputy Team Principal and Head of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy signifies Ferrari’s commitment to not only immediate success on the track but also to nurturing the next generation of talent. His experience as a former racing driver, combined with his leadership in Mercedes’ young driver programme, positions him well to guide Ferrari’s Driver Academy to new heights. Under his stewardship, the Academy will aim to discover and develop future champions who can continue Ferrari’s storied legacy in Formula 1.

The strategic poaching of key figures from a rival team like Mercedes is also a clear statement of intent from Ferrari. The knowledge and insights that Serra and d’Ambrosio bring could provide Ferrari with competitive advantages, as they will be intimately familiar with the operations and strategies that have made Mercedes one of the most successful teams in recent Formula 1 history.

Their official start date of 1st October allows for a period of transition and integration into the Ferrari team. This timing is crucial as it comes toward the end of the racing season, allowing both Serra and d’Ambrosio to contribute to the final races while also playing a significant role in the preparations for the following season.

The arrival of Loic Serra and Jerome d’Ambrosio at Scuderia Ferrari marks a new chapter for the team. Their combined expertise and experience are expected to enhance the team’s competitive edge and drive forward Ferrari’s pursuit of excellence in the world of Formula 1. With these appointments, Ferrari is positioning itself for a resurgence as a dominant force in the sport, aiming to return to the top of the podium where the Prancing Horse has historically belonged.