Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has made yet another calculated move with the recent transfer to Ferrari. Jerome D’Ambrosio, confirmed by RacingNews365, is set to embark on a major career shift as he transitions from Mercedes to Ferrari. This development marks a notable change in D’Ambrosio’s professional journey, as he has played crucial roles in the motorsport industry. Initially spotted in the Mercedes pits early last year, D’Ambrosio’s involvement with the team quickly evolved from an informal engagement to a more defined position as the driver development director, which he secured 12 months ago. In this capacity, D’Ambrosio took on the responsibility of nurturing the talents within Mercedes’ young driver lineup and overseeing their progress in various international series.
D’Ambrosio, a 38-year-old Belgian with previous experience in Formula 1, having raced for Marussia Virgin Racing in 2011 and making a guest appearance for Lotus in 2012, was also considered a potential future candidate for the team principal role at Mercedes, potentially succeeding Toto Wolff. Before joining Ferrari, D’Ambrosio held the position of deputy team principal at Venturi Racing during the 2020-21 season, eventually assuming full leadership the following year after transitioning from his role as a Formula E driver after six seasons. During his time at Mercedes, D’Ambrosio frequently collaborated closely with Wolff, particularly during grand prix weekends.
Mid-season, Wolff revealed that D’Ambrosio would act as the team principal in his absence during races, a responsibility D’Ambrosio took on for the Japanese and Qatar Grands Prix following Wolff’s knee surgery. This recent move to Ferrari is another strategic acquisition by team principal Fred Vasseur, who previously made headlines by securing seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton for the team in 2025, alongside Charles Leclerc. Vasseur’s successful endeavor to bring D’Ambrosio to Ferrari signifies a significant loss for Mercedes and Wolff, although specific details regarding D’Ambrosio’s start date and role at Ferrari have not been disclosed.