Ferrari CEO Admits Rival F1 Teams Run 'More Smoothly' Amid Vasseur's Vote of Confidence

Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari's chief executive, has openly acknowledged that rival F1 teams appear to operate "more smoothly" than the Scuderia. This admission comes as Ferrari faces its first winless F1 season since 2021, despite a recent vote of confidence in team principal Fred Vasseur.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's public acknowledgment of internal operational shortcomings underscores the deep-seated challenges the team faces. While a new contract for Fred Vasseur aimed to quell rumors, the CEO's statement indicates underlying issues persist, casting a shadow over the team's ability to consistently challenge for wins and championships in the fiercely competitive world of Formula 1.

The Details:

• Disappointing Season: Ferrari is on track for its first winless F1 season since 2021. Charles Leclerc has secured only seven podium finishes, and high-profile new signing Lewis Hamilton has yet to finish in the top three.
• Vasseur's Position: Rumors of Vasseur's potential replacement surfaced before the Canadian Grand Prix in June. Ferrari countered these by extending his contract in July.
• Continued Speculation: Despite the new contract, doubts about Vasseur's future resurfaced with reports of Ferrari approaching former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
  • PlanetF1.com understands Ferrari did approach Horner before his July departure from Red Bull, but a move to Ferrari is considered unlikely as Horner reportedly seeks a shareholding or team-ownership role upon his F1 return.
• CEO's Candid Admission: Following chairman John Elkann's vote of confidence in Vasseur, CEO Benedetto Vigna conceded, "There are other teams where everything seems to run more smoothly than it does for us."
  • Vigna emphasized the need for "all the ingredients necessary to win" to function properly.
  • He also reiterated the team's commitment to "continue to work in a united and cohesive way" for the remaining four races.
• Elkann's Support: Ferrari chairman John Elkann expressed "full confidence" in Vasseur and the team, emphasizing the importance of teamwork to maintain focus on performing "our best on the track."
• Vasseur's Response: Vasseur interpreted Elkann's public statement as being directed more at a "third party" and "external target" to quell discussions and allow the team to focus.

Looking Ahead:

While the team's leadership has publicly backed Vasseur, Vigna's comments highlight the ongoing operational challenges Ferrari must address. The focus for the remaining races is on cohesion and maximizing performance, but the long-term goal remains to resolve the inconsistencies that have plagued their championship aspirations and ensure all elements are working in unison to deliver the success expected of a team like Ferrari.