The Agnelli Connection and the Power of the Italian Press
There has always been an uneasy relationship between the Ferrari Formula One team and the Italian media, with the latter having significant influence over whether the principal of the Scuderia remains or goes. In part, this includes a historic relationship between the Agnelli family—who own the Turin-based newspaper La Stampa—and the Ferrari family icon that was Enzo.
Back in 1969, Enzo Ferrari needed financial backing and stability to keep his racing team and road car company afloat. So he turned to the Agnyellis, who owned Fiat, and who purchased a 50% stake in Ferrari, which was later increased.
This partnership gave Ferrari the industrial backing it required to succeed and expand. Their current group president, John Elkann, is the grandson of Gianni Agnelli, who struck the deal with Enzo. If the Agnelli family were unhappy with the goings-on in Maranello, their motorsport journalists would ramp up the pressure through the sports columns in La Stampa.
Today, there are a number of Italian publications that are critical of Ferrari when all is not well, with scathing editorials often emanating from Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, and Corriere della Sera. All have contributed to the demise of a number of Ferrari F1 team bosses.
A History of Departures: From Domenicali to Binotto
Formula One’s current CEO, Stefano Domenicali, was the last team principal to earn long-term favor with the Italian media. Taking over from the most successful of Ferrari bosses, Jean Todt, in 2008, he was the last individual to preside over a Ferrari championship.
However, as it became evident Mercedes had aced the new V6 hybrid turbo regulations in 2014 and Ferrari were way off the pace, Domenicali faced a brutal backlash from the Italian press. As front-page headlines pilloried the team’s lack of performance and internal direction, Domenicali chose to resign voluntarily, stating he wanted to take responsibility for the team’s struggles.
Another facing the wrath of the Italian media was Maurizio Arrivabene (2018–2019). He had a notoriously prickly relationship with the Italian media, often calling out journalists or dismissing reports. In response, outlets relentlessly amplified rumors of an internal civil war between Arrivabene and then-technical director Mattia Binotto. The constant press pressure regarding missed championship opportunities and a perceived “culture of fear” culminated in Ferrari’s top management replacing him.
Mattia Binotto himself was to benefit from Arrivabene’s demise. A lifelong Ferrari engineer, he was promoted to the top spot in Maranello. Although he showed early promise with an improved Ferrari engine, come 2022 he faced the night of the long knives.
A string of high-profile strategic blunders and reliability failures invited daily post-mortems from Italian pundits. The media heavily scrutinized Binotto’s apparent calm, corporate demeanor, framing it as lacking ruthless accountability. Yet bizarrely, it was him caught on camera wagging his finger at golden boy Charles Leclerc, who had spoken candidly to the media, which defined his demise.
Monza, Madrid, and the Pressure on Fred Vasseur
The Italian media view Ferrari as a national cultural asset rather than just a racing team, meaning victories are celebrated nationally, but defeats are treated as systemic crises—putting any team principal directly in the crosshairs. The debacle in Monza this year appears to have raised the temperature in their criticism of Ferrari, and in particular, Fred Vasseur.
Coming into the weekend, Lewis Hamilton had been openly critical of Ferrari’s inability to “operate as a team.” He was specifically referring to the lack of reference to driving standards—and his own promotion to being the number one challenger from Ferrari to Kimi Antonelli.
The fact that the pair of Ferraris came together in turn one, which saw Hamilton take to the gravel and fall to P10, was treated by the Italian media as in some way justification for the British driver’s earlier comments. After the race, Vasseur had the air of a condemned murderer facing the gallows, and predictably, the scathing comments from journalists followed.
Then, the debacle that was the Spanish Grand Prix raised the intensity further, as Lewis Hamilton’s SF-26 suffered from brake failure and he was forced to retire from P2 in the race. Post-checkered flag in Madrid, Hamilton claimed he had the pace to challenge race winner Kimi Antonelli, which merely made matters worse for Vasseur.
Inside Maranello: The “Napoleon” Nickname and Lame-Duck Rumors
Now, Italian journalist Giorgio Terruzzi, speaking on the Virgilio Sport podcast, is reporting that Fred Vasseur’s nickname inside Maranello is “Napoleon.” The French general did display many positive attributes and is one of the most studied military figures in human history. Yet Terruzzi is likening Vasseur to Napoleon in his most unfavorable characteristics, namely the hubris displayed in his disastrous invasion of Russia—where he underestimated both his opponents and the elements.
Giorgio further claims the relationship with Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna is now “practically non-existent.” Vigna, whilst overseeing Ferrari’s wide strategic direction, is also involved in strategic decisions with the racing team. This raises questions over how Vasseur is able to govern the racing division and whether he is now a lame-duck boss.
The nickname would suggest this is the case. The most telling aspect of Terruzzi’s observations is that Ferrari has nobody capable of replacing their undermined team boss. He claims multiple Le Mans-winning WEC chief Antonello Coletta does not want the F1 team principal role as he believes the team is ungovernable. Whilst rumours of Andrea Stella—who spent 14 years in Maranello—returning to the fold exist, this is unlikely before at least 2028.
Whether there is a groundswell of personnel calling Vasseur “Napoleon” or just the odd disgruntled engineer is impossible to know. What is significant is that the Italian media have begun name-calling the Ferrari team boss.
Driver Frustrations and an Uncertain Future
Further, Hamilton’s comments that the change of direction required in the Ferrari race team should come “from the top”—following the Monza debacle—are further destabilizing for Fred Vasseur. It is also being reported that the relationship between the seven-time champion and his once-fervent supporter in Fred Vasseur has disintegrated.
If true, Lewis is unlikely to get the further changes he requires in the personnel on his side of the garage, which will lead to further frustration and criticism from the outspoken British driver. Once again, the Ferrari F1 team appears to be in turmoil, and come 2027 it will be two decades since the iconic racing outfit has enjoyed championship glory.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. 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.
A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
Andrew’s work focuses particularly on the intersection of Formula 1 politics, regulation, and team strategy. Andrew closely follows developments involving the FIA, team leadership, and driver market dynamics, helping to provide context behind the sport’s biggest stories.
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