Ferrari’s Roller Coaster Ride: Vasseur Calls for Honesty from Drivers Amid a Tumultuous Season
In the dazzling aftermath of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where Ferrari managed to snag a 4th and an 8th place finish thanks to a dramatic double disqualification of the McLaren team, all eyes are on Team Principal Frederic Vasseur. As the Scuderia races toward the crucial fourth position in the Constructors’ Championship, Vasseur faces the stark reality of a season that has been anything but smooth for the iconic Italian team.
Vasseur remains resolute, asserting that the season should not be deemed a disaster, as he defends the performance of the beleaguered SF-25. “The issues we’ve faced aren’t solely tied to the car’s performance,” he emphasized, recognizing the palpable frustration emanating from the drivers. This candidness is something Vasseur values over the typical PR speak often heard in the paddock.
Reflecting on the weekend’s performance, Vasseur lamented, “In the last two or three weekends, we haven’t put everything together, and that’s why we’ve dropped in the standings.” However, he believes the team’s driving capabilities are not as dire as they seem. “From a purely performance standpoint, I don’t think we are in such bad shape compared to the middle of the season. I get Lewis’s reaction after the race; we need to stay calm and focus on the upcoming weekends because we will bounce back.”
His comments come in the wake of Lewis Hamilton’s stark declaration that 2025 is shaping up to be the worst season of his illustrious career. Vasseur pointed out, “If you look at the last couple of races, like Mexico, it was a penalty that kept Lewis off the podium. We don’t need to overhaul everything; it’s about piecing it together. We’ve struggled to execute a clean weekend, whether due to penalties or incidents like the one with Colapinto.”
One of the burning topics was raised by Charles Leclerc, who pointed out Ferrari’s historical struggles in wet conditions since his arrival in Maranello. Vasseur responded, “It’s not a grip issue. If you look at FP3, we were fastest on wet tires. It’s not that the car performs poorly in those conditions; we simply find it tougher to manage grip at times.”
Despite the absence of wins and sitting in fourth place among constructors, Vasseur seeks to temper the anxiety surrounding the SF-25. “Just two weeks ago, we were fighting for second place in the championship. It hasn’t been a total disaster; that’s not the right word. Yes, we’ve only garnered 6 or 7 points in two weekends, but remember, we were ahead of Mercedes and Red Bull in the standings before this stretch. So it’s not as catastrophic as it appears. I completely understand the drivers; they want more, and believe me, I’m tough on them in Monday morning meetings.”
The raw honesty from the drivers often surfaces in interviews, and Vasseur defends their emotional responses. “You all know how it goes. It’s tough for them to face the press just five minutes after a challenging race. I empathize with the adrenaline and emotions. It’s not normal to be expected to comment, but I prefer having open drivers who express their frustration when things don’t go perfectly, rather than those who sugarcoat and claim the team is flawless.”
He added, “You can’t fault them in every situation. It’s natural for a human being to be a bit emotional right after a race. The key takeaway isn’t what they say to the media but what they do on Monday morning with the team to push for better results and motivate the squad.”
As the Scuderia Ferrari looks ahead, Vasseur’s call for transparency and a unified effort could be the catalyst needed to steer the team back on course. The question remains: can they rise from the ashes and reclaim their former glory, or will this season end in disappointment? All eyes will be on Ferrari as they gear up for the next challenge.
