Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur ends debate over Miami team orders, insisting focus is now fully on performance ahead of Imola.
As Formula 1 returns to Imola, Ferrari is under pressure, again. While the Italian team had hoped to arrive at its home Grand Prix in better shape, recent results have kept expectations in check.
Apart from Lewis Hamilton’s sprint win in Shanghai and Charles Leclerc’s podium finish, Ferrari has struggled to maintain consistency. Now, at the historic Imola circuit, they hope the energy of the tifosi can help turn things around.
“It’s always special here,” said team principal Fred Vasseur. “It’s a bit like Monza, but even closer to home. A lot of our staff live nearby, and the connection to the factory is real. That makes it emotional, but at the same time, we have to treat it like any other race and do our job.”
The atmosphere around Ferrari has shifted with Hamilton now in red for the first time on Italian soil. His arrival has added excitement, but also fresh pressure. Fans have gathered daily outside the Maranello gates—day and night—to show their support.
“It’s a huge motivation,” Vasseur acknowledged. “Since Monday, they’ve been out there waiting, cheering. The drivers feel it. We all do. But the goal remains the same: deliver the best performance, no matter the circuit.”
Ferrari Still Searching for Consistency
On track, however, Ferrari has yet to unlock consistent performance. While Vasseur downplays the points gap, he admits the team hasn’t always maximized its opportunities.
“Outside of McLaren, who are flying right now, we’re all close,” he said. “In Jeddah, we had a strong race. In Miami, not at all. We need to understand how to get more out of the car and tyres every weekend if we want to stay in the fight.”
That inconsistency came into focus again in Miami, where radio exchanges between Hamilton and his engineer raised eyebrows. The Brit was clearly frustrated at being held up behind Leclerc, and his sarcastic tone drew attention.
Still, Vasseur has no regrets about how Ferrari handled the situation.
“I made the decision, and I still believe it was the right one,” he said firmly. “We explained it to the drivers, we switched positions at the end, and that was that. Maybe the media wants to keep talking about it, but for us, the story is over.”
He also took aim at F1’s broadcasting team, accusing them of misrepresenting team radio for drama’s sake.
Can Ferrari Deliver in Monaco?
Looking ahead to Monaco, a race Leclerc famously won last year, expectations remain measured. Vasseur insists Ferrari isn’t placing extra pressure on itself to replicate past success.
“It’s not about confidence—it’s about preparation,” he explained. “Yes, Monaco is special. But we prepare for it the same way we do for Imola or any other Grand Prix.”
Leclerc will once again race in front of his home crowd, but Vasseur was quick to downplay the emotional angle.
“It’s a unique weekend for Charles, of course. But nowadays, most of the grid lives in Monaco. It’s not as rare as it once was. We need to stay focused and treat it like any other race.”
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