Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur believes negative coverage from the Italian media can have a significant impact on the team’s results, because criticism aimed at him or the Scuderia is felt by the roughly 1,500 people working alongside him at Maranello.
After the many rumours of recent days, Ferrari appears to have closed ranks around Fred Vasseur. First came a press conference involving the Maranello team’s communications leadership, followed by comments from chief executive Benedetto Vigna, who rejected reports of internal tension and reiterated the sense of harmony within the team and confidence in the French manager.
Fred Vasseur hits back at criticism of Ferrari
With that support behind him, Fred Vasseur used the Sepang weekend to address some of the criticism directed at him. During the FIA press conference, the Ferrari team principal criticised personal attacks from journalists and argued that Ferrari needs what he described as “friendly media”. The comments came amid the wider debate over criticism surrounding Fred Vasseur.
Fred Vasseur returned to the same subject during an interview with Jean Alesi for Canal Plus F1.
Fred Vasseur: Italian media negativity can affect Ferrari results
Fred Vasseur and Jean Alesi were asked which of the two liked the Italian press more, prompting the Ferrari team principal to respond immediately: “Jean!”
Fred Vasseur then expanded on his view of the Italian media: “I don’t have Instagram, I don’t have Twitter, I don’t read the press. I try to isolate myself from all of this. The number one problem is the 1,500 people who work with me and who, when there is something negative about me, the team and everything else, feel the impact the next morning. And I think this is enormously damaging to the team’s results.”
The French manager’s comments underline why he believes the consequences of criticism go beyond his own position. The recent speculation has also kept attention on Ferrari’s leadership structure around Fred Vasseur, even as the team has publicly stressed internal unity.
Winning with Ferrari remains Fred Vasseur’s real objective
Fred Vasseur also spoke more broadly about his experience at Maranello and made clear that simply reaching Ferrari has never represented the ultimate achievement for him.
“Going to Ferrari is not the Holy Grail; winning with Ferrari is. I don’t feel as though I’ve made it at all. Ferrari is great, but it is even better if you win. There is also a difference between what you can read in the press, on blogs or elsewhere and the attitude of the people, which is always extremely positive.”
Fred Vasseur also highlighted the loyalty of Ferrari supporters, explaining that their presence around the factory is not limited to successful weekends.
“They are huge fans; we have hundreds of people in front of the factory when we win, but they are there when we lose as well. It isn’t pressure, it is an added value.”
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