Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Having been thrown straight in at the deep end as Ferrari team principal, Fred Vasseur has already had to tackle challenges both technical and political. While the Frenchman insists the situation inside Maranello is more serene than the gossip outside, that does not mean he is blind to the challenges that lie ahead
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur always knew when he took on the job that it would test his management skills to the core. The passion and politics inside Maranello have never been easy for team principals to manoeuvre their way through, which explains the pretty high turnover of the men at the top in recent years. But if Vasseur was expecting a bit of a grace period while he got his feet under the desk, that has been shattered quite quickly as he found himself coming up against elements that he has probably not had to deal with before.
On the one hand, there is the technical challenge of having to find the answers needed to get the Prancing Horse cars closer to the might of the Red Bull machine that currently looks odds-on favourite for a dominant season. Plus, Vasseur has found himself having to plot his way through the minefield of politics and media speculation that have long been part and parcel of life at Ferrari. And in the wake of its defeat and reliability blow in Bahrain, the rumour mill has been in overdrive in suggesting that all is far from well inside the doors of the Gestione Sportiva.
How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule
How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule
F1 grid box tweaks will not eradicate problems, says Alonso
F1 grid box tweaks will not eradicate problems, says Alonso F1 grid box tweaks will not eradicate problems, says Alonso
Perez: Red Bull no longer a one-car F1 operation
Perez: Red Bull no longer a one-car F1 operation Perez: Red Bull no longer a one-car F1 operation
Aston ready to evaluate wing choices to counter Red Bull F1 top speed
Aston ready to evaluate wing choices to counter Red Bull F1 top speed Aston ready to evaluate wing choices to counter Red Bull F1 top speed
Why Red Bull’s F1 dominance is not just down to aero
Why Red Bull’s F1 dominance is not just down to aero Why Red Bull’s F1 dominance is not just down to aero
Porsche puts F1 entry on hold as McLaren idea also leads nowhere
Porsche puts F1 entry on hold as McLaren idea also leads nowhere Porsche puts F1 entry on hold as McLaren idea also leads nowhere
Mercedes knew limits of W14 F1 car concept before Bahrain
Mercedes knew limits of W14 F1 car concept before Bahrain Mercedes knew limits of W14 F1 car concept before Bahrain
McLaren lands senior Aston F1 aerodynamicist amid aggressive recruitment push
McLaren lands senior Aston F1 aerodynamicist amid aggressive recruitment push McLaren lands senior Aston F1 aerodynamicist amid aggressive recruitment push
IndyCar at Texas: Start time, how to watch, entry list, etc
IndyCar at Texas: Start time, how to watch, entry list, etc IndyCar at Texas: Start time, how to watch, entry list, etc
Supercars backs tech boss amid Triple Eight allegations
Supercars backs tech boss amid Triple Eight allegations Supercars backs tech boss amid Triple Eight allegations
Russell, Norris back calls to reduce F1 practice time
Russell, Norris back calls to reduce F1 practice time Russell, Norris back calls to reduce F1 practice time
FIA widens F1 grid boxes after Ocon and Alonso penalty controversies
FIA widens F1 grid boxes after Ocon and Alonso penalty controversies FIA widens F1 grid boxes after Ocon and Alonso penalty controversies
How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule
How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule
Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion
Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion
The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023
The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023 The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023
The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories
The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories
The state of play in F1's technical silly season
The state of play in F1's technical silly season The state of play in F1's technical silly season
Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers
Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.