Scuderia Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur was interviewed by Motorsport Italy, in one of his first official discussions after starting his activity in Maranello. Here are some of his most important statements:
What makes you confident ahead of the upcoming season?
Fred Vasseur: “In the first part of last season the team worked very well. As I said before, we will try to understand and analyse the reasons why there was no continuity. Now we have to make sure that this is the case at every single level of the pyramid. What makes me optimistic is that the motivation within the team is very high. During my time at Sauber, I had some colleagues who came from Ferrari & they told me that in Maranello nothing is impossible. After 2 weeks I can confirm it‘s true, nothing is impossible, there are the skills to move mountains and this will be important during the season. For me the goal is not to be at Ferrari, the goal is to win with Ferrari, that’s the top. For me the goal is not to be here, but it will be the day we are able to win [the title].”
Charles will aim to be first driver, is it correct to say that he has to win this title on the track or can Ferrari grant him this role?
Fred Vasseur: “I think Ferrari has the ability to provide the exact same car for both drivers. The objective is to win, it’s not to win with Charles, it’s not to win with Carlos or someone else, the objective is to win. My policy on this is clear, we will push with both drivers and if at some point in the season it becomes clear that we have to push more on one of the drivers, then we will square off around him, but we don’t have a Number 1 or Number 2 driver. The Number 1 is Ferrari.”
Do you think your friendship with Charles Leclerc contributed to your arrival at Ferrari?
Fred Vasseur: “I honestly don’t know anything about it and I don’t think it helped. The role of the team principal is not to put Charles in the best conditions, but to put the team in the best possible conditions. Obviously I have a good relationship with Charles. I’ve known him since he was 12 years old, and it’s easier to manage someone you’ve known for 20 years than someone you’ve just met, but it wasn’t one of the reasons that played a role in my decision.”
We know you’ve just arrived, but is there a list of things you would like to do in this part of the season?
Fred Vasseur: “I have my to-do list, but I won’t share it [laughs]. Certainly there are a couple of points that we will try to fix. We talked about the reliability of the engine, one of the problems of last season, also with regard to penalties. But this now seems under control. Another aspect concerns relationships within the team, an element that I consider very important, team spirit. One of the most complex challenges for any single team in F1, is being able to count on good collaboration between all the people who make up the team. My job in the first few weeks will be to make sure everyone pushes in the same direction.”
What do you think might be Carlos‘s strength?
Fred Vasseur: “Some people know this story, but not everyone. When I was at Renault I was the first to get Carlos in touch with the team. Even when I moved to Sauber I tried to have him with us. I think this is enough to confirm the confidence I have in his qualities. I am convinced that he is a very strong driver. I would add that I was very positively surprised by the relationship between the two guys (Charles/Carlos). I had dinner with them separately, then all together, and we’ve had the chance to spend a lot of time together over the last few weeks. I have to say that compared to the Carlos I remembered, I found a more mature person, and the same goes for Charles after these years at Ferrari. I think the collaboration between them is much stronger than it appears from the outside.”
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How difficult do you think it will be to manage two drivers of great ambition?
Fred Vasseur: “I think after the first weekend of the season in Bahrain I’ll be able to answer that better… just kidding, because I’m really convinced that it’s going to be under control. I’ve already had the opportunity to experience the great enthusiasm that there is in the team and around the team, I think it’s also related to the very way of life that there is in Italy, and I must say it’s a very good feeling. I don’t want to make comparisons with other teams, but the motivation I have seen is enormous.”
What will your relationship with Toto be like?
Fred Vasseur: “I am sure I will maintain a good relationship with Toto. I think we are smart enough to be able to fight on the track, fight with the FIA, fight with the stewards and still have a good relationship.”
Do you consider this as your biggest challenge in motorsport?
Fred Vasseur: “Yes, it is clear. In the past I have faced some complex challenges, probably the most difficult was the one I had to face when I started in Formula Renault, if I look back it was very complicated. But certainly at Ferrari you are more exposed, expectations are very high, but it is part of the nature and history of this team. We are one of the three top teams, we have very clear objectives regarding the world championships, drivers and constructors. We must have this kind of motivation and clear goals, there must not be any excuses: we want to win, everyone wants to see Ferrari win world titles and that will be my goal.”
What did you feel when you received the call from Ferrari?
Fred Vasseur: “I was drinking coffee at home! There had been some rumors in the media, and it was a strange feeling because I had to deal with the situation in the week leading up to the Abu Dhabi weekend. For me the goal is not to be at Ferrari, the goal is to win with Ferrari, it’s the top. For me, the finish line is not to be here, but it will be the day we are able to win.”
The previous Team Principal covered both the roles of Team Principal and Managing Director of the Scuderia, while you are Team Principal and General Manager. Who will fill the role and functions of Managing Director?
Fred Vasseur: “I can say that it seems a bit of an issue of language, because the Scuderia is not a traditional company, so there is no real CEO. The Scuderia is a sector of Ferrari, so there is no CEO, I think there is some confusion externally. My role is clear and my goal is clear, to win the title by leading the team, from the choice of drivers to the mechanics.”
Fred Vasseur also confirmed he will soon settle in Maranello with his family and is also taking Italian lessons. He also added that Ferrari will have a filming day immediately after the reveal of the new car. The information about it will be revealed soon.
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