In keeping with Jean Alesi, Frederic Vasseur is managing a Ferrari in System 1 the place incompetence reigns. This isn’t the opinion of an off-the-cuff fan, however the view of one of many Prancing Horse’s icons relating to the group’s present adverse section. On the event of his birthday and the thirtieth anniversary of his first and solely victory, proper in Montreal, the place the tenth spherical of the 2025 System 1 championship takes place, the French driver spoke out plainly, expressing his doubts with out sugarcoating.
The previous Ferrari driver skilled firsthand the years of technical inferiority and the gradual return to competitiveness that started with Jean Todt’s arrival. Many extra seasons handed earlier than the Maranello group lastly received the world title with Michael Schumacher. Again in Jean Todt’s period, Ferrari lagged considerably behind technologically in comparison with Williams, McLaren, and the formidable Benetton group.
On the time, the technological infrastructure was lower than the usual required to compete on the highest degree. Though right now the historic group has nothing to envy from its rivals, it’s clear that entry to the very best expertise isn’t any assure of success. In spite of everything, Pink Bull has constructed two dominant eras in System 1 utilizing a post-war wind tunnel. Happily, the standard and creativity of the engineers nonetheless make the distinction.
In a latest interview, Jean Alesi shared his perspective on the present points on the Maranello group which, in line with him, don’t have anything to do with the drivers. Particularly, Jean Alesi praised Charles Leclerc, whom he considers the strongest driver on the grid and in whom he sees a mirrored image of his personal temperament and “dangerous luck.” The motive force of Sicilian descent then supplied an fascinating perception.
In keeping with Jean Alesi, Fred Vasseur has far much less energy than Jean Todt did. He made this level whereas providing his private view on Ferrari’s present difficulties. In keeping with the previous Ferrari driver, the group’s issues usually are not the results of the group principal’s selections however stem from sure people throughout the group who wish to be in cost regardless of missing the competence to take action.
It’s a wonderfully respectable opinion, however one which raises questions. Frederic Vasseur has reorganized the group extensively and has repeatedly acknowledged that he recruited a number of engineers from rival groups. The whole absence of the Italian firm’s high administration—even in strategic conferences just like the one broadcast through the Bahrain Grand Prix—suggests fairly the alternative.
If the Ferrari group principal is attending conferences the place the way forward for F1 is set instead of the president and CEO, then there are solely two doable situations: both Fred Vasseur is a compliant lightning rod, or he has been granted broad powers. To date, the pinnacle of the Ferrari Racing Division has proven no indicators of friction with high administration. Quite the opposite, he stays constantly unflappable, regardless of the season more and more taking the form of a dramatic failure.
What Jean Alesi mentioned within the “household” newspaper of the Exor group is open to numerous interpretations. These are undoubtedly relatively awkward and even perhaps baseless statements—ones that would simply backfire. It might be a subliminal alarm sign aimed on the presidency, voiced by somebody who is aware of the age-old dynamics of the Ferrari Racing Division very effectively.
Or maybe it’s a gesture of solidarity with Fred Vasseur, whose place is starting to look shaky. What stays to be seen is the ultimate judgment on the finish of the season for the Frenchman who, for now, regardless of a massively disappointing yr, nonetheless seems to place confidence in the 2026 marketing campaign. And possibly, that will likely be his final actual alternative—the place one other failure may price him the job.
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