Vasseur, the former Alfa Romeo team principal who took charge of Ferrari in January following Mattia Binotto’s departure, faced the challenging task of strengthening the team by making key hires. However, recruiting suitable personnel was complicated by the gardening leave restrictions that bound potential candidates. Additionally, the departures of two significant figures from Ferrari, race director Laurent Mekies and senior design engineer David Sanchez, further intensified the need to fill crucial positions.
Vasseur has already managed to bring in Mercedes performance director Loic Serra, but due to the current circumstances, Serra is not expected to start working until 2025. When asked about the progress of building the desired team, Vasseur emphasized that such an endeavor is never-ending.
He expressed, “We are far from reaching our goal because in my position, there is no concept of a perfect structure. Continuous improvement and adaptability are necessary as standing still with the same setup for consecutive years will lead to stagnation while others advance. There is no definitive formula for success; it would be foolish to think that way. Instead, we will implement changes over the next weeks, months, and years as some aspects require more time to evolve. This constant evolution is essential for continuous improvement.”
Regarding their future in the 2024 season, Vasseur shared that the team is gaining a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. However, he chose to keep the details to himself, acknowledging that the situation changes from race to race in such a competitive environment.
Despite a recent strong performance with Charles Leclerc securing a solid third place in Spa, Vasseur remained grounded and cautious about getting carried away by one-off successes. He emphasized that the competition in Formula 1 is incredibly tight, with small factors determining the difference between finishing second or eleventh. While they celebrated the positive outcome in the first part of the season, Vasseur recognized that there is still much work to be done.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about F1 structure
1. Who is Vasseur and what is his role at Ferrari?
Vasseur is the former team principal of Alfa Romeo, and he took charge of Ferrari in January after Mattia Binotto’s departure.
2. What were some of Vasseur’s main tasks at Ferrari?
One of Vasseur’s main tasks was to strengthen the team by making key hirings to fill important positions. However, this task was made harder by gardening leave restrictions that bound potential candidates.
3. Who were the notable Ferrari personnel that departed recently?
Ferrari’s race director, Laurent Mekies, left for AlphaTauri, and the senior design engineer, David Sanchez, headed to McLaren, leaving gaps that needed to be filled.
4. Has Vasseur made any significant hires for Ferrari?
Yes, Vasseur has already recruited Loic Serra, the Mercedes performance director, but Serra is not expected to start working until 2025 due to existing commitments.
5. How close is Ferrari to achieving the desired team structure?
According to Vasseur, achieving the perfect team structure is not a fixed goal. He believes that continuous improvement and change are necessary for success, so there is always room for progress.
6. What are Ferrari’s plans for the 2024 season?
Vasseur mentioned that the team is gaining a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses for the 2024 car, but the specific details were not disclosed.
7. How does Vasseur view Ferrari’s recent performance?
Vasseur remains grounded and cautious despite Charles Leclerc’s recent success in Spa. He acknowledges that the competition in Formula 1 is tight, and there is still much work to be done.
8. What is the approach to success in F1 according to Vasseur?
Vasseur emphasizes the need for continuous evolution and improvement in the team’s structure and performance, as standing still can lead to falling behind other teams.
9. How does Vasseur plan to handle the challenges ahead?
Vasseur intends to make changes to the team over the coming weeks, months, and years as required, depending on the areas that need improvement and evolution.
10. How does Vasseur view the competitiveness of the F1 field?
Vasseur points out that the competition is very close, and small factors can make a significant difference in the team’s standings, from P2 to P11. He urges caution and taking it one race at a time.
3 comments
vasseur’s got his hands full, managin’ team hirings n all. tough gig, but i trust ferrari will get it right. can’t wait for the next race!
lovin’ the updates on ferrari’s 2024 car. vasseur playin’ it cool after leclerc’s podium. competition’s tight, but they got time to do better. go ferrari!
vasseur knows wats up. team structure always needs improve n evolve. no perfect setup in f1. ferrari must keep hiring, keep changin’ to stay ahead!