Frederic Vasseur Put to First Italian Test After Lapo Elkann’s Statement as Ferrari Braces for the Wrath of its Frenemy

Misery loves company. However, the world of F1 is extremely ruthless and even the closest ones turn their backs during difficult periods. This is exactly what is happening within the Scuderia Ferrari at the moment. The Italian team is experiencing one of the worst starts to a championship season in a decade. Especially for Charles Leclerc, as the Monegasque has retired twice in the opening three races. His teammate Carlos Sainz has managed only two points finish in the opening three races. These scenarios have made the Ferrari president’s brother publicly criticize the team.

The chairman, founder, and majority shareholder of the Italia Independent Group, Lapo Elkann, is the brother of John Elkann. The Italian, as reported by the host of the F1 Nation podcast, served up a wake-up call for the team after an abysmal start to the season.

“Lapo Elkann, who is the brother of the Ferrari president John Elkann. He came out and said ‘Ferrari need to wake up’. I’m quoting Lapo there,” revealed the host.

“If you’ve got the brother of the Ferrari president saying things like that then every day Gazzetta della Sport, the sports newspaper in Italy gets to produce two pages of content about Ferrari. It’s not going well, it’s a wake-up call for poor Fred Vasseur if nothing else,” he added.

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This brutal opinion from Lapo Elkann is precisely what the Tifosi feel after the season opener. After two more races, the opinion has only solidified and there is no denying that.

However, the French boss is doing everything in his power to change things at Ferrari.

The Ferrari boss is making waves within the team to see a positive result

Ferrari took a massive leap of faith when they poached Vasseur from Alfa Romeo. The Frenchman is only the fourth non-Italian boss in Ferrari’s seventy-plus-year history in the sport. Putting faith in the boss also translates to putting faith in his decision and Vasseur is proving he will be using that power to get better results.

The Frenchman made the first public personnel change by Inaki Rueda, the chief strategist to Maranello. Vasseur promoted Ravin Jain to the post. According to reports, Ferrari is also in the market for new engineers and technicians.

“In fact, Fred Vasseur, the head of the racing department, the country curator mentioned above, has obtained the ok of the company leaders: he will be able to look abroad for those professionals that will have to integrate and strengthen Ferrari’s structure,” revealed Leo Turrini.

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Ferrari is going international to become stronger. Will this pay off or will the Maranello outfit still be stuck at the bottom of the top three as they have been for ages?