Alesi: Vasseur has Ferrari on the 'right track'

Former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi believes the Scuderia is finally heading in the right direction under team principal Fred Vasseur's leadership, crediting the Frenchman for steering the team through a turbulent period. Alesi also expressed strong confidence in the driver pairing of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, rating Leclerc among the absolute best on the current grid alongside Max Verstappen.

Why it matters:

After a disastrous end to the 2025 season that Alesi himself labeled a "catastrophe," Ferrari's strong start to the new campaign signals a potential turnaround. Vasseur's ability to unify the team and restore creative technical development is seen as critical for Ferrari to mount a sustained challenge to the dominant Mercedes team and return to consistent championship contention.

The details:

• From 'Catastrophe' to Contender: Alesi acknowledged the severe struggles Ferrari faced in late 2025, with poor car performance, team errors, and Hamilton's difficult spell. He now says he is "very impressed" with the team's rebound and the "proper Ferrari car" they have produced for the new season.
• Vasseur's Pivotal Role: The former driver heaped praise on Vasseur, stating he has done a "super job" since day one. Alesi emphasized the unique complexity of leading Ferrari, suggesting the role is "multiplied by 100 percent" compared to other teams.
  • He noted that last year's intense criticism "destroyed completely the balance of the team," making Vasseur's task of bringing everyone together exceptionally tough.
• Technical Renaissance: A visible sign of progress under Vasseur's restructured team is the return of creativity, exemplified by innovative solutions like the 'Macarena' rear wing. Alesi stressed that modern F1 success relies on a collective of technical experts, not a single individual, requiring strong leadership to synthesize all ideas.
• Driver Line-Up Strength: Alesi firmly dismissed doubts about Lewis Hamilton's motivation, pointing to his performances in Melbourne and Shanghai as proof the seven-time champion is fully engaged in Ferrari's "big project."
  • He placed Charles Leclerc "very high in the rating of the drivers," grouping him with Verstappen at the top of the current field, making Ferrari's pairing formidable for a title fight.

What's next:

The real test for Ferrari's revival will be the relentless development race over the long championship. Alesi pointed out that while Ferrari starts with the second-best car behind Mercedes, they face stiff competition from engine-customer McLaren and a Red Bull team featuring Verstappen. Maintaining this positive trajectory and closing the gap to Mercedes through in-season upgrades will determine if they can truly fight for the championship.