Beneath Ferrari stress: Fred Vasseur opens up on criticism and the problem of main the Scuderia
Ferrari staff principal Fred Vasseur has delivered an sincere evaluation of his time on the helm of Method 1’s most historic staff, reflecting on criticism, technical challenges, and the immense duty of restoring the Scuderia to championship-winning kind. The Frenchman, who joined Ferrari in 2023, admitted that he was absolutely conscious of the difficulties he would face when taking on the Maranello outfit — a staff nonetheless enduring one of many longest title droughts in its illustrious historical past.
After a promising 2024 season wherein Ferrari completed forward of Crimson Bull within the Constructors’ Championship and narrowly missed out on the title to McLaren after the Abu Dhabi finale, expectations have been excessive for 2025. Nonetheless, this 12 months has became one of the vital disappointing in current reminiscence. Neither Charles Leclerc nor new teammate Lewis Hamilton has managed to safe a single Grand Prix victory, leaving the staff — and particularly its staff principal — below rising scrutiny from followers and media alike.
Fred Vasseur’s candid reflections on Ferrari’s struggles
“I’ve been on this enterprise for 30 years. I knew completely effectively that I might be uncovered and that criticism would come,” Fred Vasseur instructed The Athletic when requested concerning the present state of affairs at Ferrari.
Vasseur didn’t shrink back from acknowledging the staff’s technical challenges. The SF-25, designed with excessive ambitions, has confirmed unpredictable and troublesome to handle throughout varied circuits. “When you have a significant downside initially, you lose a little bit of course,” he defined. “You are likely to play it secure, and meaning dropping some confidence — and the whole lot that comes with it.”
The Ferrari boss emphasised the necessity to keep resilient and targeted on enchancment. “We all know now we have to struggle again. We’ve to ship outcomes. And we even have to simply accept the truth that stress is a part of our sport’s DNA. However I feel there’s already sufficient stress on the monitor — we don’t want it at house as effectively.”
Assist from Leclerc and Hamilton amid Horner rumours
Regardless of persistent rumours suggesting that Crimson Bull’s Christian Horner may exchange him, Fred Vasseur has acquired sturdy backing from each Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, together with an official affirmation from Ferrari management concerning his place. Their public help has helped reinforce his authority throughout a turbulent season.
Fred Vasseur additionally revealed that he consciously avoids letting exterior criticism have an effect on him. “I really feel fairly good about that,” he mentioned with a smile, referring to the truth that he doesn’t learn the press or watch tv. As a substitute, the Frenchman prefers to maintain his deal with what really issues — the staff’s progress and long-term objectives.
“That’s all prior to now now,” Fred Vasseur concluded. “Our focus should be solely on the longer term.”
For Fred Vasseur, the mission stays clear: rebuild confidence, strengthen Ferrari’s technical course, and restore the Scuderia’s status as a dominant pressure in Method 1 — regardless of how heavy the stress could also be.
