Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur stated that certain Italian media reports negatively affect his team and impede their progress towards winning championships.
Following a challenging start to the 2024 season – a season where expectations were high for Ferrari to compete for titles after the signing of Lewis Hamilton to partner Charles Leclerc – recent reports in Italy suggested Vasseur`s position was under threat.
Speaking about the speculation on Friday at the Canadian Grand Prix, Vasseur mentioned he could personally handle the situation. However, he added that `disrespectful` and `very harsh` speculation targeting other members of the Ferrari team was causing instability.
Vasseur clarified, “It`s some of the Italian media, not all of it. It`s not about me, I can manage that. It`s more about the people in the team. Using their names like this is disrespectful to them and their families.”
“I don`t understand the objective,” he continued. “Perhaps it`s to disrupt the team. In that case, I don`t see the benefit. Maybe for them [the publications], it`s the only way to gain relevance. That`s probably the true reason.”
He stressed, “But it still harms the team. At some point, it causes a lack of focus. When you`re contending for a championship, every single detail matters.”
“Since the start of the weekend, we`ve only been talking about this,” Vasseur lamented. “If their aim was to put the team in this situation, they`ve succeeded. We can`t win a championship this way, at least not with this kind of journalist around us.”
Vasseur acknowledged the scrutiny that comes with his role: “As team principal, I knew I`d be exposed when I took the job. That`s relatively easy to handle. It`s harder for the team members who work incredibly hard.”
“To arbitrarily decide one day that `this person will be replaced,` or `this person is useless,` is honestly very harsh,” he added. “These journalists need to remember these people have families. It is completely disrespectful.”
Ferrari had generally shown positive development since Vasseur took over from Mattia Binotto at the beginning of 2023, finishing just 14 points behind McLaren in last season`s constructors` standings.
A strong conclusion to 2023, combined with the significant signing of seven-time world champion Hamilton to join Leclerc for 2025, had fueled optimism for challenging for both constructors` and drivers` titles in 2024.
Instead, Ferrari is yet to secure a Grand Prix victory this season. Leclerc accounts for all three of their podium finishes so far, leaving the team competing with Mercedes and Red Bull for second place.
“The initial goal was to fight for the championship,” Vasseur stated. “But I believe that sentiment was shared by us, Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren at the start of the season.”
“Comparing ourselves to those expectations, McLaren has taken a significant step forward compared to everyone else, and we haven`t performed well on our end in the first few races,” he admitted.
Alongside the suggestions that Vasseur is under pressure, Italian reports also speculated that Leclerc might be considering his future as he pursues his first championship title.
“Charles has a long-term contract with us,” Vasseur reiterated. “In every interview since the season began, he has said he wants to stay with Ferrari, win with Ferrari, and that his future is with Ferrari. Yet, almost every Monday, we see an article claiming Charles will leave next year.”
“At a certain point, I don`t know what else we can do or say,” he expressed frustration. “I apologize, but I cannot keep repeating the same things every single weekend. It is what it is.”
“Currently, I believe we have a good relationship with both Lewis and Charles. We have a clear objective. We understand we need to work hard and push,” Vasseur concluded. “The atmosphere within the team is very positive, which is essential for recovery and winning. Everything is in place; we have all the necessary elements to do a good job and we are working well together.”
Sky Sports F1 Canadian GP Schedule
- Saturday June 14
- 2.10pm: F1 Academy Race One
- 5.15pm: Canadian GP Practice Three (session starts at 5.30pm)
- 7.30pm: F1 Academy Race Two
- 8.30pm: Canadian GP Qualifying build-up
- 9pm: CANADIAN GP QUALIFYING
- 11pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
- Sunday June 15
- 3.50pm: F1 Academy Race Three
- 5.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Canadian GP build-up*
- 7pm: THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX*
- 9pm: Chequered Flag: Canadian GP reaction
- 10pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Marcus Prine