Vasseur unfazed by Ferrari driver criticism: 'It's part of the job'

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is not concerned by the public frustration and pointed criticism from his star drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, viewing it as an essential and positive part of the team's competitive culture. He argues that silencing such feedback would be a sign of complacency, not success.

Why it matters:

In a high-pressure environment like Ferrari, where every word is scrutinized, a team principal's reaction to driver criticism sets the internal tone. Vasseur's public acceptance of their blunt feedback reinforces a culture of relentless improvement over comfort, which is crucial for a team aiming to climb back to the top after a challenging season.

The details:

• Vasseur explicitly stated he ignores the emotional reactions captured in the 'TV pen' after sessions, focusing instead on the substantive, collaborative push for improvement behind closed doors.
• He framed Leclerc's well-known critical nature, which he has observed since the driver was 16, as a "positive dynamic" aimed solely at achieving better results.
• Vasseur emphasized that this mindset is consistent regardless of finishing position, stating, "The DNA is to do a better job."
• He expressed that he would be "destroyed" if his drivers told him the team was doing a good job, as their core function is to identify areas for improvement.

Between the lines:

Vasseur's comments serve as a public endorsement of his drivers' demanding attitudes, effectively insulating them from external pressure to be less vocal. By normalizing their criticism as part of Ferrari's "DNA," he aligns the entire organization—drivers, engineers, and management—around a single, uncompromising standard: constant progress. His reference to last year's title fight having the same internal tone suggests this is a philosophical stance, not a reaction to a difficult season.

What's next:

The real test will be how effectively Ferrari channels this critical energy into tangible performance gains for the 2026 car, the first major project under new Chassis Director Loic Serra. If the team can translate the drivers' demands into a faster, more reliable package, Vasseur's philosophy will be validated. If not, the same criticisms may begin to sound like a broken record.