Former Ferrari executive Luca di Montezemolo has commented on the current slump of the Scuderia team. Despite bolstering their ranks this year with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the team has so far only managed to secure second place. Moreover, the British star has yet to make it to the podium. Di Montezemolo points to a lack of leadership from team boss Fred Vasseur.
During the recent GP in Monza, Ferrari’s home race, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and sixth respectively. This is indicative of the Italian racing team’s season, which, after a number of strong performances in 2024, is now falling behind McLaren and Max Verstappen. Di Montezemolo asserts that it is primarily the lack of clear leadership within the team that pains him.
Fred Vasseur versus Mattia Binotto
“A Ferrari without a clear leader truly saddens me these days,” he stated in an interview with the Italian branch of Sky Sports. “If there’s one thing Ferrari has taught me, it’s that you have to work harder when you win, and of course, this is doubly true when you’re not winning.” Di Montezemolo emphasized that having the right personnel is crucial for success in motorsport and was critical of Vasseur’s current leadership.”
“You need to deploy the right people,” he explained. “At the time, I had a number of very competent employees. If Mattia Binotto could have stayed, it probably would have been better,” added the Italian. Binotto left Scuderia at the end of 2022 after relatively few sporting successes. “Constant change means losing one of the most important elements – the stability of a team. With change, you start from scratch and there is a lot to do. At Ferrari, things are often said that raise expectations too high,” concluded Di Montezemolo critically. “First, achieve results, then you can make announcements.”
Luca di Montezemolo was the big boss of Ferrari from 1991 to 2014. During his tenure, he breathed new life into both the Formula 1 team and the car manufacturer. Under his leadership, Scuderia won multiple constructors’ and drivers’ titles, particularly with the legendary Michael Schumacher. On September 10, 2014, Di Montezemolo stepped down amid increasing tensions with his intended successor, FIAT-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne.
