New Scuderia Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has confirmed that he will take tips from Jean Todt from his time working with seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher at the Maranello team.
The French manager was at the top of the Ferrari Racing Division when Michael Schumacher dominated the sport and secured five Formula 1 titles in a row between 2000 and 2004. However, after he left the Italian side, Ferrari only won the Drivers’ title in 2007 with Kimi Raikkonen, with Frederic Vasseur now being the fifth team principal since Jean Todt having the difficult task of bringing the title back to Maranello.
“For sure, we have had contact” – the ex-Alfa Romeo boss confirmed in a recent interview for Sky Sports F1 when asked about his relationship with Jean Todt – “We will have time to discuss together. It is perhaps difficult to compare the two periods. But the experience of Jean is bigger. It is a huge opportunity for me to discuss with him – to get his feeling, his feedback.” – he added.
Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt remains one of the closest confidantes to Michael Schumacher, as the seven-time Formula 1 world champion who is now living away from the public limelight following the tragic skiing incident which took place ten years ago.
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Frederic Vasseur is now in charge of the Ferrari Formula 1 Racing Division, after Mattia Binotto handed in his resignation at the end of the 2022 Formula 1 campaign, a season which was marked by several strategical errors from the Maranello pit wall, as well as operational issues and power unit technical failures, which did now allow Charles Leclerc to challenge Red Bull and Max Verstappen for the world title despite the strong start to the 2022 F1 championship.
“The level of performance was there, last year. It is always difficult to have a clear picture from outside the team because details can make a big difference. Issues with reliability in some circumstances? They paid the price. My contribution to the project is small. I am proud of what [the team] has done. The dynamic is positive with the tifosi, it is a huge push for the team.” – the French manager continued.
Frederic Vasseur also pointed out that, despite knowing Charles Leclerc a lot better after working with him during the Monegasque driver maiden F1 season, Charles and his Maranello teammate Carlos Sainz will start the new Formula 1 championship with equal status within the team, but in the second part of the season one driver could be favoured if he is able to gain a clear advantage in the standings.
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