“Ridiculous to expect”: Frederic Vasseur Backed to Bed in For a Long Haul as Unreal Ferrari Expectations Shot Down

The technicalities of Formula 1 don’t allow for quick comebacks. It’s the investment in the right idea and then the development that allows a team to get to the top of the championships. And while Ferrari came ridiculously close to it following its multiple-year development of the new regulations car, things didn’t last long for them as Red Bull ran past blazing. But now, having tasted some success last season, the Tifosi want to see quick results.

The expectations from Frederic Vasseur have been unreal. The fans want their team to hop back to the front as they see their favorite drivers struggling. However, they must also realize that turnarounds are easier said than done. Despite constant reassurances from everyone, including Charles Leclerc, the pressure continues to mount on Vasseur.

Batting for the Ferrari boss now comes former world champion Damon Hill, who asks that Frederic Vasseur be given at least a couple of seasons to set things straight. Seeing the daunting task presented to overhaul Ferrari, Hill remarks on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, “He seems to be quite philosophical about it, and he knows that it’s impossible, it’s an impossible job, and it’s ridiculous to expect someone to arrive in a team and then instantly produce results.”

“It’s going to take time. And he’s still settling in. And no doubt he’ll make his effect known gradually over time, and I think he’s starting to show that. So I don’t think he’s got anything to be concerned about. I think they’ve got to give him good couple of seasons to be able to have any effect in the team. Things cannot happen immediately.”

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Hill strictly supports Vasseur, as the new boss immediately got to change things in the team. In what many are calling a cultural challenge at Ferrari, the new boss has support, at least from the highest boss, John Elkann.

Why is Frederic Vasseur the right man for Ferrari?

Vasseur, despite the early challenges and failures, is believed to have set up a positive culture within the team. This has also gotten him support from his bosses, including Piero Ferrari and John Elkann, who have bolstered their confidence in the 54-year-old.

But what makes Vasseur the right man to lead Ferrari? Different people have different answers. While Piero thinks he is a confident man, Hill suggests it’s his experience on the pit wall. Despite having a bad reputation for strategies, Hill backs Vasseur to change things in the department.

He says, “He’s someone who can have an effect and say to the team, well, why do you do this that way? But they do fantastic pit stops, Ferrari. Some of their strategy and stuff is quite good, so they’re not too weak. Obviously, the Monaco experience was lamentable, and a few races, Silverstone as well. With Ferrari and Charles Leclerc, who felt like he was hard done by strategy moves. But he can calm the ship on that department very quickly, I think.”

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So far, Ferrari’s pit stops or strategies haven’t been challenged enough. Thus, Vasseur’s abilities to deal with that and lead overall will remain to be seen in the coming weekends.