“I have discussed Ferrari and its seasons in F1 with you many times.” In this way, Italian journalist and Ferrari insider Leo Turrini, draws attention to the iconic team by highlighting an intriguing topic. Leo Turrini points out an issue that perfectly encapsulates the strategy of the Prancing Horse over the last 16 years. This refers to the personnel choices made by the ownership to lead the Maranello team. Indeed, the Italian squad has experienced several changes in the role of team principal, and despite different individuals taking charge, the outcome has remained unchanged.
These changes have also affected the role of technical director, along with the heads of various departments within the racing division. Over these more than fifteen years, Ferrari has “never made a mark,” to use a football metaphor. Red Bull, for instance, endured seven seasons without a victory. We are talking about Mercedes’ dominance, where the Milton Keynes team made no alterations. Christian Horner has always maintained his position, just like Adrian Newey. Both figures have never been questioned, not even for a moment.
The Brackley-based team has also not won since 2021, yet Toto Wolff continues to lead the team without any doubts from the German management about his capabilities as a manager. This is despite significant errors made by Mercedes with the current regulatory framework, where several projects have turned out to be quite unsuccessful. This discussion aims to emphasize the necessity of creating a sense of teamwork—a cohesion essential for forming a squad capable of competing at the pinnacle of F1 to win.
Leo Turrini believes that Ferrari can achieve this ideal spirit, the so-called “collective strength,” which must be attained through a degree of stability. This continuity is necessary to build a program from the ground up with solid foundations on which to base technical and sporting strategies. Leo Turrini points out that he often has the pleasure of discussing matters with the Ferrari ownership, during which he “suggests” making the right decisions to manage the racing department, but simultaneously allowing enough time for those decisions to take effect. Trust is required, without constantly questioning their decisions.
The football approach doesn’t work in the racing world. “Let’s change the coach to shake things up” is a logic that is irrelevant within a team that operates in the paddock. The highest category of motorsport is primarily about technology. Despite this reasoning being extremely unpopular, especially in the Italian context—at a time when F1 is attracting a younger audience thanks to Liberty Media’s efforts to modernize the fanbase—Turrini believes that constant changes lead to no positive outcomes. On the contrary, they only cause harm.
The choices regarding individuals tasked with determining the fate of the team must be appropriate. However, it is equally important to allow time for the results of their work to materialize. Of course, if the anticipated outcomes are not achieved within the expected timeframe, it is reasonable to move on from their services. But until then, maximum support must be provided. Changing five team principals within a few years is not the right approach. Leo lists the names: starting with Stefano Domenicali, who lost World Championships by just 7 points, only to be treated like a “war criminal.”
The competitive context has not repeated itself since Stefano was dismissed; Ferrari has not fought for a title in the final race of the season ever since. His replacement was a “Bulgarian wanderer,” Marco Mattiacci, who, during his four-month tenure, demonstrated to the world his unsuitability for the role. Then came “the guy who sold cigarettes,” Arrivabene, followed by an engine specialist, Mattia Binotto, with whom we know well the embarrassing moments endured. Finally, we arrive at Frederic Vasseur, the “country priest” from France who currently occupies the leadership seat.
This whirlwind of changes has yielded no positive results. Leo Turrini reflects on McLaren, currently leading the Constructors’ Championship, and mentions Andrea Stella. The former track engineer for Ferrari moved to Woking ten years ago. During this time, the historic British team has won just one Grand Prix, at Monza, thanks to Daniel Ricciardo, who capitalized on a unique situation to cross the finish line first. The engineer from Orvieto has never faced scrutiny until he became team principal of a squad that now dominates the technical landscape of F1.
Andrea Stella serves as a perfect example because, under his leadership, mistakes have indeed occurred in the current 2024 season. Consider that, despite the MCL38 being the fastest car on the grid, the drivers’ championship is still firmly in the hands of Dutchman Max Verstappen. In the Constructors’ Championship, although McLaren remains competitive, they only overtook Red Bull three weeks ago at the Baku Grand Prix. This illustrates why the football logic of “wanting to change mid-course” in F1 is completely misguided. Finally, Leo Turrini poses a question regarding Adrian Newey.
The question concerns the reasons why the genius from Stratford-Upon-Avon chose to stay in the UK and accept the temptations from Lawrence Stroll. “In your opinion,” Leo asks, “did the fact that Ferrari has changed five team principals in three decades influence the decisions of the brilliant British designer?” Adrian has asked himself various questions. For instance, why was an excellent technician like James Allison “discarded” by Ferrari without much concern? Newey has amassed a plethora of championships, thanks to his contributions at Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull.
What could have been the best conclusion to his illustrious career? Joining Ferrari and achieving an objective that has been elusive for far too long. According to Leo Turrini, Adrian didn’t come to Maranello because he lacked trust in the historic Italian team. This is not a distrust towards president John Elkann; he simply did not see the right environment to work effectively. Observing the recent past of the Italian team, he recognized that the conditions to build a successful and effective team were absent.
This is a fact that should prompt the Italian team’s management to consider a crucial aspect: creating the right conditions for those in charge of managing the Prancing Horse racing team to express their abilities and talents. Only then will the team’s goals be achievable. Otherwise, as has tragically happened for quite some time now, regardless of the caliber of the individuals working within the sports management, Ferrari will continue to “calmly” lose each season.
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