Fred Vasseur rallies around Ferrari: “Rumors about new arrivals damage team spirit”. Frederic Vasseur emphasized his confidence in Ferrari.

Trust in the team
A determined Frederic Vasseur emphasized his confidence in his team during an interview with Carlo Vanzini and Ivan Capelli on Sky Sport, providing a first assessment of the 2024 Formula 1 season. There are many, perhaps too many, market rumors surrounding Ferrari, which risk destabilizing a team that Fred Vasseur has reiterated he is “very proud of the work done in the last 12 months.”

The French team principal presented undeniable numbers showing a positive trend compared to last year: “If we compare the first 12 races of 2024 with those of 2023, we have 2-0 in terms of victories, 9-1 in terms of podiums, and we have 60% more points than a year ago.”

The press and many rumors
Frederic Vasseur directly addressed the market issue: “I have full confidence in this group and I was a bit disturbed to read in the press that we could hire 20 people. This sends a very negative message to those working in the company. One can imagine someone in a position within the team reading in the papers that they might be replaced tomorrow: it’s not great motivation. Certainly, it’s not the team’s goal.” – the French manager pointed out.

The Ferrari team principal continued: “We talk about the team’s image and the people we have on the track and in the factory are pushing hard, and reading that they might be replaced is not fair and damages team spirit.” On the names of Adrian Newey and Enrico Cardile, Fred Vasseur expressed a concept dear to him, that of the importance of the group: “We are over 1000 people and talking about one or two individuals, one who might come or one who might leave, does not significantly change the organization.” The Ferrari leader then explained that he is completely focused on his mission to bring the team back to success: “I don’t feel too much pressure. A different matter is the pressure that comes from outside, from the media. Honestly, I don’t read the newspapers, I don’t have Instagram, I don’t have Twitter, and I don’t watch TV. I’m quite isolated, while team members are more exposed, and reading these things doesn’t bring a message of calm. If you want to do a good job, you need to feel the full trust of the company.” – Fred Vasseur concluded.