In response to Jean Alesi, Frederic Vasseur is managing a Ferrari in Method 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 unfavorable part. 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 Method 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 bold Benetton group.
On the time, the technological infrastructure was less than the usual required to compete on the highest stage. Though right now the historic group has nothing to envy from its rivals, it’s clear that entry to the most effective know-how is not any assure of success. In spite of everything, Purple Bull has constructed two dominant eras in Method 1 utilizing a post-war wind tunnel. Happily, the standard and creativity of the engineers nonetheless make the distinction.
In a current interview, Jean Alesi shared his perspective on the present points on the Maranello group which, in response to him, don’t have anything to do with the drivers. Specifically, 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 “unhealthy luck.” The driving force of Sicilian descent then supplied an fascinating perception.
In response to 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 response to the previous Ferrari driver, the group’s issues aren’t the results of the group principal’s choices however stem from sure people throughout the group who need 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 said that he recruited a number of engineers from rival groups. The entire absence of the Italian firm’s high administration—even in strategic conferences just like the one broadcast throughout the Bahrain Grand Prix—suggests fairly the other.
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 potential situations: both Fred Vasseur is a compliant lightning rod, or he has been granted broad powers. To this point, the pinnacle of the Ferrari Racing Division has proven no indicators of friction with high administration. Quite the opposite, he stays persistently 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 slightly awkward and maybe even baseless statements—ones that might simply backfire. It may very well 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 properly.
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 12 months, nonetheless seems to place confidence in the 2026 marketing campaign. And perhaps, that will probably be his final actual alternative—the place one other failure may price him the job.
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