Jonas Leo
Maranello, Italy – In a move that underscores a clear difference in leadership philosophy, Ferrari Formula 1 team principal Fred Vasseur has publicly endorsed the right of his drivers, Charles Leclerc and incoming seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, to voice public criticism of the Scuderia’s performance. This stance comes despite previous admonishments from Ferrari chairman John Elkann, who had suggested the drivers should "focus on driving and talk less." Vasseur’s perspective highlights a strategic embrace of internal and external scrutiny as a catalyst for improvement, particularly following a challenging recently concluded Formula 1 season.
The 2024 Formula 1 campaign proved to be a period of significant disappointment for the storied Italian outfit. Despite aspirations for championship contention, Ferrari failed to secure a single Grand Prix victory throughout the season. The team ultimately finished fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, a significant decline from its competitive form in previous years, and notably lost the 2024 title to a resurgent McLaren on the final day of racing. This outcome placed immense pressure on the team and its personnel, including its star drivers.
Charles Leclerc, the Monegasque talent, concluded the drivers’ standings in fifth position, while Lewis Hamilton, still competing for Mercedes in 2024 before his highly anticipated transfer to Ferrari in 2025, finished sixth. Both drivers, known for their fierce competitiveness and dedication, frequently displayed visible frustration in post-session interviews as the season unfolded. A particularly poignant example occurred at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where Hamilton, after suffering a double DNF (Did Not Finish), candidly described the situation as "a nightmare." Such public expressions of discontent, while understandable given the high stakes of Formula 1, did not go unnoticed at the highest echelons of the Ferrari hierarchy.
Ferrari chairman John Elkann, a prominent figure overseeing the broader Ferrari empire, subsequently weighed in on the drivers’ consistent negativity. His comments, suggesting that Leclerc and Hamilton needed "to focus on driving and talk less," ignited widespread debate within the F1 community and among fans. Elkann’s statement reflected a traditional view within some corporate structures, where public dissent might be perceived as detrimental to team morale or brand image. As the chairman, Elkann holds significant influence over the strategic direction and public perception of the marque, making his intervention a notable point of contention regarding team communication policy.
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However, Fred Vasseur, who assumed the role of team principal in January 2023, has adopted a markedly different approach. Speaking after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Ferrari finished fourth and eighth, effectively capping off their winless season, Vasseur expressed a degree of indifference to the immediate public reactions of his drivers. "I don’t pay attention to the reaction in the TV pen," Vasseur stated, indicating his primary focus lies beyond the immediate emotional responses captured by television cameras.
Vasseur elaborated on his philosophy, asserting that the true measure of a driver’s commitment to improvement lies in their engagement behind the scenes. "The most important for me is to have a guy coming back to us and pushing the team to do a better job and to work all together to try to get better results," he explained. This perspective shifts the emphasis from superficial public displays to substantive, constructive dialogue within the team’s operational framework. For Vasseur, the authenticity and intensity of feedback in private debriefings hold far greater weight than fleeting comments made under pressure in the media spotlight.
He offered specific insights into Charles Leclerc’s character, drawing on a long-standing professional relationship. "The fact that they are emotional sometimes on the radio and it depends on the guys… all of you know Charles. [He] is always a bit of critical with himself first and with the team and with everybody, but it’s always with a positive dynamic," Vasseur observed. He further emphasized the consistency of Leclerc’s approach, stating, "I know Charles for 10 years, 16 years and he was always like this. He was always complaining about everything. But it’s a positive dynamic that we are there just to do a better job." This historical context provides valuable insight into the dynamic between Vasseur and Leclerc, suggesting a deeply ingrained understanding and acceptance of the driver’s passionate nature.
Vasseur underscored that this inherent drive for excellence is central to Ferrari’s competitive spirit, irrespective of their current standing. "It doesn’t matter if you are P4, P3, P1. The DNA is to do a better job," he asserted. This commitment to continuous improvement, he argues, is a non-negotiable aspect of the team’s ethos. "I accept this perfectly and the most important [thing] for me is that they keep the same approach to the debriefing. To try to get a better car, a better team, a better everything and it’s like this that we will improve," Vasseur concluded, outlining his vision for how internal criticism translates into tangible progress.
In fact, Vasseur went as far as to articulate that he actively encourages his drivers to be critical of the team. He views this critical feedback not as an impediment, but as an essential component for Ferrari to regain its position at the pinnacle of Formula 1, particularly as the sport anticipates significant new technical regulations in the coming years. "I would be destroyed if I had the drivers telling me that we are doing a good job," he candidly admitted. This statement highlights a proactive approach to problem-solving, where complacency is seen as a far greater threat than direct, honest critique.
The role of a Formula 1 driver, according to Vasseur, extends beyond mere car control and race execution. "The summary of the season for a driver is to find where we can improve. Always that I’m not there to have [drivers telling me] ‘we are doing a good job on this and this and this’," he elaborated. This perspective positions the drivers as crucial agents of change, whose intimate knowledge of the car’s performance and the team’s operational processes makes their input invaluable.
"But their DNA and my DNA is to try to push the team to do a better job," Vasseur continued, drawing a parallel between his own managerial philosophy and the inherent drive of his elite drivers. "It means, they have to come to us, Charles and Lewis, when it’s not Lewis, it’s Charles, it’s both of them. They have to come to us and to push the team on the limit. Everywhere, on every single area and for sure, we can improve and we can improve everywhere." The inclusion of Lewis Hamilton in this statement, even before his official start with the team in 2025, signifies Vasseur’s unified vision for the future, where both drivers are expected to exert maximum pressure for performance gains. Hamilton’s arrival brings with it not only unparalleled experience and a winning pedigree but also a reputation for meticulous analysis and a relentless pursuit of perfection, qualities that Vasseur appears keen to harness.
Vasseur also drew a comparison to previous seasons, illustrating the consistency of this critical approach. "Last year, we were fighting until the last corner and the reaction was exactly the same. And Charles said, ‘OK guys, we have to improve on every single area. The simulator, the set-up, the aero’," he recalled. This anecdote reinforces the idea that the pursuit of excellence and the identification of areas for improvement are constant, irrespective of the immediate competitive standing. Even when challenging for the title, the mindset must remain one of perpetual growth.
"This is the DNA of their job and the DNA of our sport. I’m not shocked at all when they are coming to me and say, Fred, we have to improve on this, this, this, this, this because it’s what we are asking them to do," Vasseur concluded. His remarks provide a robust defense of his drivers’ outspokenness and offer a fascinating glimpse into the internal dynamics of one of Formula 1’s most iconic teams. As Ferrari navigates a crucial period of transition, with the integration of a legendary driver like Hamilton and the impending shift in technical regulations, Vasseur’s leadership style, prioritizing candid feedback over perceived public decorum, will undoubtedly be a defining factor in their pursuit of future championships. The contrasting views between the team principal and the chairman highlight the complex pressures and diverse interpretations of what it takes to succeed at the highest level of motorsport.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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