Vasseur reveals stability is the cornerstone of Ferrari’s Formula 1 triumphs.
Fred Vasseur has not yet clinched his bet to lead Scuderia to victory, but the Frenchman has certainly set Ferrari back on the right track, with significant restructuring but no dramatic upheavals.
Foundations continue to be laid for future successes.
Having taken the helm of the Reds a year and a half ago, Vasseur spoke with RTBF about various topics, starting with what it means to work for a legendary team.
“Ferrari is about passion, in every sense of the word. Everyone is passionate about the brand, and there is a lot of emotion involved. Italians express their emotions much more than in Anglo-Saxon countries. It gives the team a rather special characteristic.”
“Honestly, it’s far more satisfying to manage a team where people are emotional. I think we have the most beautiful job in the world, we mustn’t forget that. We do 24 races, it’s tough, but millions of people dream of doing what we do. It’s a great motivation to be in this environment, it’s something exceptional.”
“I have the best job in the world and I also have the most beautiful wife in the world. We’ve been together for 35 years, and she has been supporting me for 35 years. It’s something we live through together. The only person I asked if I should go for it, was my wife. I am aware of all the efforts made by my family. I make them move to Italy and then I’m away 25 weekends a year.”
What then is the Vasseur method? One thing stands out, the Frenchman’s smile, even in less favorable times.
“From the moment people are committed and make sacrifices, it helps to do it with good humor. That doesn’t mean we aren’t strict and tough, that we don’t make sometimes harsh decisions. The fact of laughing, it doesn’t make us go any slower. When I have a coffee, I prefer to do it laughing rather than frowning.”
“In the F1 paddock, we have a group of people, passionate and creative. They should not be stifled. I am also convinced that the group is always stronger than the individual. We have everything to gain by making people work well together. They must not be afraid of making mistakes. Mistakes can happen to anyone, the most important thing is to own them, understand them, and not repeat them. We try to create this mindset within the team.”
“There is no magic formula in our job; it takes time. This is especially true for us as the recruitment process is very lengthy. The procedure to replace a person starts with identifying the need and then finding the right individual. It takes several months. The person might still be under contract elsewhere so we must wait out this period as well… and they may even work on the next car. Thus, if we change direction every six months, it simply won’t work.”
“Success stories in F1 are built on stability. The prime example is Jean Todt. He faced several challenging years before achieving prolonged success.”
The topic has been a buzz for weeks and will undoubtedly come back into significant focus towards the season’s end: Ferrari has successfully secured the services of Lewis Hamilton for 2025. What does he expect from his partnership with Charles Leclerc?
“With Leclerc and Hamilton, at least I have the advantage of knowing them since they were young, before they started winning GPs. This familiarity benefits the quality of our relationship. They aren’t coming for Fred Vasseur. For Lewis, it’s a deep-seated dream to drive for Ferrari. Perhaps I simply helped align some stars at the right moment.”
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Stability at Ferrari: Vasseur’s Recipe for Racing Success Stability at Ferrari: Vasseur’s Recipe for Racing Success
