Ferrari narrowly missed out on the constructors’ title. However, since his arrival in Maranello two years ago, the influence of Fredéric Vasseur, a Frenchman in Italian service, has been evident. An interview with the distinctive team boss.
You’ve been in Maranello for almost two years now, the team has changed significantly in the meantime, and the results are starting to come in. How close is Ferrari to how you want the team to be, and how many changes still need to be implemented?
“Changes are always necessary, it’s in the DNA of our sport. You always want to do better, you always want to make progress, and there are always things you can improve. Personally, I always have plenty of ideas about where and what can be improved. We also still have plenty of staff to recruit, and that’s the approach; it’s the motivation I always want to have, because that’s the key to better performance.”
Long-standing Involvement in Motorsports and the Impact of Leading Ferrari
“Yes, and I knew this because, as you said, I expected it. What surprised me is that this impact was described to me as a huge pressure, but I see it as a tremendous amount of enthusiasm around me, around us. I notice that people are very positive, very supportive. Not in a crazy fan way, but really that people want to support us, want to help us. They always have kind words for us, and when it was time to go to Monza, for example, some even came to give us flowers, which I found very touching. For me, it is a great source of motivation, not unnecessary pressure.”
Dealing with the Lack of Privacy and Anonymity that Comes with the Job
“Yes, that’s part of it, but honestly, it’s not like I have the opportunity to spend a lot of time at home, so I don’t suffer much from it,” Vasseur laughs.
