Are there driver hierarchies at Ferrari? Every time he is asked this question, Fred Vasseur gives the same answer: no lead driver. At least not for now.
In a lengthy interview with the Italian daily newspaper Corriere dello Sport, the French team principal reiterated his concept, expressing the intention to move forward with the Ferrari project with both drivers.
The problem is that Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are two young drivers, two hot-headed individuals with the same dream: to become world champions with Ferrari. How to manage both of them? Should they focus on one of them?
When journalist Fulvio Solms pointed out that “the team seems to favor Charles,” he also added that things could become complicated for the Spaniard, who aspires to the same goal.
In short, Ferrari would be creating internal hierarchies following the Red Bull model. But is it true that Fred Vasseur wants to bet on only one driver to win the championship?
“No, no, don’t put Helmut Marko‘s words in my mouth! I have never said it, nor have I ever done it,” clarified the team principal. “I only say that if you want to aim for the drivers’ championship, at a certain point in the season, you have to make a choice and prioritize the one who is higher in the standings. However, we are not in that situation today.”
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Fulvio Solms then further prodded Frederic Vasseur, asking him if the same would apply if Carlos Sainz were ahead of Charles Leclerc.
“Your question assumes that Charles is number one, but that’s not the case,” he explained. Then Fred Vasseur went into specifics: “I started this job twenty-five years ago believing that both drivers should receive the same support, and I have no intention of changing that.”
In explaining how all teams follow the same philosophy, Fred Vasseur also wanted to clarify: “With the exception of Red Bull with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.”
Source: f1ingenerale
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