Vasseur on Life at Ferrari: 'You Live in Constant Duality'

Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur describes his tenure leading the Scuderia as an intense journey marked by pride and paradox, characterizing his time in Maranello as living in "constant duality." He finds himself balancing profound reverence for Ferrari's legendary past with an unyielding drive to sculpt its future.

Why it matters:

Vasseur's insights offer a rare glimpse into the unique pressures and immense passion that define Ferrari, Formula 1's most iconic team. His challenge is to harness this fervent energy to steer the Scuderia back to championship glory, a feat they haven't achieved in nearly two decades, all while navigating the complex expectations of the Tifosi and the weight of history.

The Details:

• Unprepared for the Scale: Vasseur, who took over from Mattia Binotto in January 2023, admits that nothing could have truly prepared him for the sheer scale of passion and expectation associated with managing Ferrari.
• The Power of the Prancing Horse: Speaking on Bloomberg's Power Players podcast, Vasseur noted that Ferrari wasn't initially his ultimate goal in F1. He only truly grasped its immense influence upon entering the Maranello gates.
• Overwhelming Energy: His first day in Maranello was a defining moment, where he felt an overwhelming, positive energy. He observed that unlike his decade with other teams, Ferrari always has fans waiting outside the factory, regardless of the time.
• Gift and Burden: This extraordinary devotion from fans, while a massive source of energy, simultaneously amplifies the pressure on the team.
• Unmatched Celebrations: Vasseur highlighted the unique nature of Ferrari's fanbase, noting that at every circuit, half the crowd is dressed in red. He cited last year's Monza victory, where mechanics were greeted by celebrating supporters back at the factory in the middle of the night—a scene more typical of football than F1.

Between the lines:

This duality—the pride in a storied history conflicting with the compulsion to innovate for the future—is what Vasseur believes makes Ferrari truly unique. This constant tension is not just a burden but also the magic that sets the team apart from all others on the grid.

What's next:

Vasseur's leadership has already instilled a renewed sense of purpose within Ferrari, garnering the trust of star drivers like Charles Leclerc and incoming Lewis Hamilton for his long-term vision. As he prepares the team for the significant 2026 regulation overhaul, he understands that passion alone won't secure results. Vasseur is the orchestrator attempting to transform Ferrari's enduring expectations into a long-awaited return to the pinnacle of Formula 1.