In the week leading up to the Canadian Grand Prix, several reports from prominent Italian media outlets — Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera — raised multiple questions about the future of Frederic Vasseur and Charles Leclerc. La Gazzetta wrote: “Three decisive GPs: without progress, the Team Principal risks losing Ferrari,” while the piece by Daniele Sparisci and Giorgio Terruzzi cast doubt on Charles Leclerc’s long-term contract: “Ferrari, a three-faced crisis and Charles Leclerc has lost faith.”
The response from both parties was swift, with Charles Leclerc reiterating his commitment to the Scuderia on Thursday in Montreal, while Fred Vasseur opted for a much stronger reaction in front of the media. It is precisely the French manager’s statements that deserve further reflection — and perhaps even some defense of someone who, like any other professional, is simply doing his job.
Statements to Sky Italia
Here’s what the Draveil-born boss told Sky Sport F1: “I think it’s someone trying to harm the team, because this isn’t just about me. I fully understood the risks when I joined Ferrari, but talking this way about Charles, implying that he will leave when since the start of the season he has reiterated in every interview that he has a long-term contract, that he loves the team, and wants to win here… yet these rumors persist. […]
The most critical issue is that other team members are being dragged into this, and that’s not fair, because it’s not up to Italian journalists to decide whether this or that person should be replaced. We need to consider that this does immense damage to the environment. I believe we should be supported instead of everyone being thrown in the mud like this.”
The media certainly do not intend to “hurt Ferrari,” especially when it comes to Italian journalists who should — more or less — “care about” the fact that Scuderia Ferrari (which, in Italy, currently draws more fans than even the national football team) remains competitive. No one aims to attack anyone personally — it’s simply the usual dynamic between press and team.
The media have every right to share news and/or insider information they obtain (provided it stays within reasonable and respectful boundaries), just as Fred Vasseur and his team have the duty to work at their best to bring Ferrari back to the level it deserves. When things don’t go as they should, criticism is fair and warranted — it’s part of the process and often proves more constructive than praise after a win.
The words on French TV
What truly made waves, however, were Fred Vasseur’s comments to Canal+ in France: “We need to ask the right questions about why Ferrari hasn’t won in years. We’ve changed the Team Principal, we’ve changed the drivers, we’ve changed everything except one thing… (the journalists, ed.).”
What the French manager told the transalpine broadcaster is nothing but a reflection of what Ferrari represents today: arrogant (despite not having won a title since 2008), resistant to self-criticism, and unable to take responsibility. Because while it’s true that we don’t know the internal climate surrounding tough decisions at Gestione Sportiva, the press is simply doing its job: reporting, questioning, provoking.
To be clear, Fred Vasseur is doing what any leader would do: defending his work and that of his team. No one questions that. However, one cannot complain too much, because ultimately, if such rumors keep gaining traction, it’s also because the team isn’t delivering — especially compared to expectations and public statements made by the Team Principal and drivers throughout the pre-season, proclaiming a Ferrari ready to fight for both championships.
Criticism exists and is part of the game. Even Jean Todt and Stefano Domenicali were targeted, and they both managed to absorb it — before and after their successes. Time will tell whether Fred can do the same.
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