Media blame Ferrari directors for Vasseur ‘witch hunt’ – The average tenure of the modern Ferrari Formula One team boss is just three years. Since the sport’s CEO, Stefano Domenicali, left Maranello in 2014, the team have appointed four new managers, with Fred Vasseur the latest.
The Frenchman replaced the outgoing Mattia Binotto, who having served for 27 years in Maranello was the latest scapegoat for Ferrari F1 failure to win a title. As an engineer, Binotto was they behind many of Ferrari’s power units over the years and in 2019 was responsible for the campaign which the team contested with an engine later deemed illegal by the FIA.
This led to a private settlement between F1’s governing body and the Scuderia, although the details of the settlement remain confidential to this day. Ferrari’s form dipped dramatically over the next two seasons as Binotto struggled o get to grips with vested interests in Maranello although during his final year the team claimed four race victories, sixteen other podiums with Charles Leclerc racking up twelve pole positions for the team.
Ferrari’s long road back to the top
With Ferrari on the up there were those in the Italian media who appeared surprised at the move to replace Binotto, although his inability to change some of the ‘prehistoric’ working practices in Maranello, together with his very public row with Charles Leclerc – were all believed to be behind the decision.
The appointment of Fred Vasseur indicated a new direction for Ferrari, who since the departure of Jean Todt (also French) in 2007 had implemented an Italian only policy for candidates to run the Scuderia. Todt joined in 1993 and remains the longest serving boss of the Ferrari F1 team, something only possible since the recent death of Enzo who chopped and changed his managers at will.
The Frenchman oversaw Ferrari’s longest period of F1 domination, as with Michael Schumacher then won six consecutive constructor championships together with five for Michael in the drivers’ title race. Yet it was not all plain sailing for Todt, who recognised the modernisation of Ferrari would take several years.
In his seventh year in charge, Ferrari finally won the constructors’ championship and without a crash at Silverstone which broke Schumacher’s legs, they would have had the drivers’ title in the bag as well. With Kimi Raikkonen in his first year at Ferrari defeating Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso by a single point in 2007, Todt called it a day. He remains the most successful boss ever seen in Maranello.
Vasseur Ferrari contract expires this season
With his lack of an engineering background and his inability to speak Italian – unlike Todt – Vasseur previously at Sauber to many was a surprise appointment to the team principal role at Ferrari. Yet Fred was known for his excellent man management skills and with no Ferrari baggage around his neck he could turn his hand to improving the working practices in Maranello.
Vasseur was given a three year contract which expires at the end of this season. Now half way through the year, theres been no indication talks have begun to extend Fred’s future with the Italian racing marque. Having developed the fastest car over the final six races of 2024, expectations were high for Ferrari this season. Their signing of seven times F1 champion, Lewis Hamilton, seemed to many as the final piece in the jigsaw.
Yet a brand new car for the final year of this set of regulations has backfired on Ferrari in spectacular fashion. Despite ugly headlines from the Italian sportswriters, Charles Leclerc reasons that Ferrari are having a reasonable season. “If we compare ourselves to our other competitors apart from McLaren, it’s not like we are having a shocking season.”
Yet the Monegasque is failing to consider an important factor in the equation which sees Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari within a handful of points fighting for second place. Red Bull are fighting with just one driver and so the Scuderia pairing are de facto underperforming. Mercedes too have a rookie driver which should play into Ferrari’s hands who like McLaren have a top pairing behind the wheel of their cars.
Italy’s new favourite to replace Fred Vasseur
Italian media react to Vasseur’s criticism
Unlike the team Fred Vasseur inherited with wins, scores of podiums and pole positions, this year Ferrari have just three podiums for Charles Leclerc and suffered the ignominy of both cars being disqualified for technical reasons at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
Vasseur reacted angrily to the Italian media pressure last time out in Canada, suggesting the persistent criticism and calls for heads to roll were the reason the team was failing in its objectives. Now the media are responding to the Ferrari boss and highlight the problem is because he lacks the backing of his masters.
Responding to the outburst from the frenchman, the UIGA union which represents Italian motorsports writers said in a statement that Vasseur’s expressed view is “worrying.” Whilst the Ferrari team boss was not named, it was crystal clear that he was the subject of the report.
“These [critical] reports were considered detrimental to the team,” read the statement. “He [Vasseur] emphasised in detail how certain rumours create uncertainty among staff members and the tension rises to such a level that it becomes difficult to set ambitious goals. Press freedom must not be limited by any pressure, whether direct or indirect.
“The role of journalists is not to support a team but to report honestly on what is going on,” it continued. “This does not justify spreading unverified rumours, given the possible human and professional consequences.”
Elkann blamed for failing to renew contract
Veteran F1 writer, Leo Turrini, reflects on the travails form Ferrari boss Jean Todt was forced to endure and for 6 long and barre years. “Todt detested the free press, but he never attributed to it his years of defeats, which did exist. And after each grand prix, the ferocious penguin spoke to the media for an hour.”
Turrini continued: “I’m not asking for Vasseur’s head. The reason is simple. If the owners believe that Fred is the right man, they must extend his contract without ifs and buts. We are on the eve of a regulatory change and trust in leadership, if it exists, must be expressed without hesitation.
“If, on the other hand, the owners have come to the conclusion that Vasseur is the wrong man in the wrong place, they must replace him as soon as possible.”
The simplicity of Turrini’s argument is difficult to disagree with. The biggest set of regulation changes in F1’s history are coming in 2026 and with Vasseur out of contract at the end of this year, the lack of a new deal to see him and the team through a time of massive change is very strange. The silence on Vasseur’s future from John Elkann & Co is hardly the vote of confidence anyone wishes form their board directors.
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