Vasseur Defends Ferrari Against Media Speculation
Ferrari Formula 1 team principal Fred Vasseur has publicly condemned Italian media speculation regarding his future and that of his engineers. This backlash follows critical articles from leading publications such as Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera, which questioned both Vasseur’s leadership and the impact of recently hired engineer Loïc Serra, formerly of Mercedes.
In a stern response, Vasseur stated, "Enough is enough," emphasizing the importance of respecting team personnel. He noted that such speculation is detrimental to the morale of employees, saying, “It’s more about the people in the team… throwing their names around is disrespectful.”
Vasseur’s frustration highlights the pressure faced by Ferrari, particularly as they pursue championship success. "At one stage, it’s the lack of focus… if it’s their target to put the team in this situation, they reach their goal," he said, referencing the distractions caused by media coverage.
The team faces a challenging season, currently sitting second in the Constructors’ Championship, 197 points behind leaders McLaren. Despite a promising start with back-to-back podiums in Monaco and Spain, inconsistencies persist, including disqualifications following strong performances.
Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have expressed support for Vasseur amid the swirling controversies. Hamilton remarked, “Things aren’t perfect… but I want Fred here. I do believe Fred is the person to take us to the top.” Leclerc added that they have a shared vision for the team’s success.
As Ferrari confronts the dual pressures of competition and media scrutiny, Vasseur plans to reassure his staff of their positions in Maranello. “I have to consider that the people in every single team of the grid are working very hard… to put names like this in the paper, I think it’s very, very harsh,” he concluded, indicating the need for a more respectful environment to foster success.
