via Getty
DOHA, QATAR – NOVEMBER 19: Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff and Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner talk in the Team Principals Press Conference during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Losail International Circuit on November 19, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
via Getty
DOHA, QATAR – NOVEMBER 19: Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff and Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner talk in the Team Principals Press Conference during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Losail International Circuit on November 19, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
In a recent development, Ferrari reinstated their top position with Frenchman Frederic Vasseur. This has been the fifth time in the last nine years the team principal position has changed in the Italian team. As the Prancing Horse brought a new man to the team, Mercedes and Red Bull rub their hands to take advantage.
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After an underwhelming 2022 F1 season, Mattia Binotto decided to resign from Ferrari. Binotto was in charge from 2019 to 2022 until it was time for him to resign and left the hole for someone else to fulfill. Soon after his resignation, Ferrari appointed Vasseur as the top boss and F1 pundit Martin Brundle pointed out this as one of the holes in the Italian team against the likes of Mercedes or Red Bull.
Talking about this to Sky Sports F1, Brundle stated, “If I was Mercedes or Red Bull right now, I’d be smiling because continuity is everything. As Formula 1 seasons get longer and more intense, you have to be careful of these changes of personnel. Mercedes have got real continuity, as have Red Bull in key personnel.”
As things stand, Vasseur has got massive duty in his hands to turn things around in Ferrari. To take away the advantage of rival teams, a smooth transition is required to sit as the primary head behind their overall function, which includes managing Charles Leclerc and, of course, Carlos Sainz.
READ MORE: “I Look Good in Red”: Mercedes Legend Lewis Hamilton Once Had Toto Wolff Shaking in His Boots Over Ferrari ResponseTalking about this, the F1 commentator further asserted, ”Fred Vasseur has got to go in and find his way, get established, understand, and it’s a tall order.”
F1 Champion had a similar say in Ferrari’s sea of changes of personnel
The 2016 Formula 1 champion Nico Rosberg pointed out a similar issue that Ferrari was lacking against the likes of defending champions Red Bull and last year’s winner Mercedes.
Scuderia Ferrari announces that Fred Vasseur will join Scuderia Ferrari on 9 January as Team Principal and General Manager.https://t.co/k6AheXT1Do pic.twitter.com/L882T0gHsl
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) December 13, 2022
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Talking about this to Gazzetta dello Sport, the German conveyed in a report published by Formula Passion, “I know Mercedes and Red Bull haven’t changed most of the key people for ten years or more. And that’s what Ferrari lacks. That [of team principal] is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. It will be tough for Ferrari.” [Translated from Italian]
As a matter of fact, Red Bull hasn’t changed their team principal since their inception. The Briton Christian Horner has been at the top position of the Austrian team since 2005. Whereas, Toto Wolff has completed nine years as the top man of Mercedes.
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As for Ferrari, they changed their boss fifth time in the last ten years. After Stefano Domenicali left the team, Marco Mattiacci, Maurizio Arrivabene, and Mattia Binotto were in charge of the Italian stable. Now, Fred Vasseur is the new employee at the Prancing Horse. Do you think Fred Vasseur is the right man for the job? Can he turn things around for Ferrari?
