In Montreal, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur strongly criticized the Italian press following speculation that his position with the Formula 1 squad was at risk.
This week, various Italian news outlets targeted Ferrari. Notably, Corriere della Sera, Italy`s largest newspaper, implied that Vasseur was facing pressure due to the team`s disappointing beginning to the 2025 season.
On Thursday, Lewis Hamilton spoke out in firm support of Vasseur, whom he credited as being instrumental in facilitating his transfer to Ferrari for the current season.
Furthermore, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that technical director Loïc Serra, who joined Ferrari from Mercedes along with Hamilton this year, had not met internal performance expectations.
Vasseur`s first media appearance occurred on Friday, where he seemed ready for a confrontation, even joking about the FIA`s recent penalties for using offensive language in press conferences.
Responding to the initial question about the media stories, Vasseur remarked:
“First, I must remain composed, otherwise I`ll end up before the stewards.”
He continued by stating that the reports were negatively impacting other team members.
“It`s certain Italian media outlets, not all of them,” Vasseur clarified. “It doesn`t concern me personally, as I can handle it. The concern is for the team`s personnel. Publishing their names in this manner is, in my opinion, disrespectful to them and their families. This isn`t the first time; we saw it last year with the head of aerodynamics, and other names have appeared this season.
I don`t know their objective, I don`t understand it. Maybe it`s intended to disrupt the team, but I fail to see the purpose. Perhaps it`s their only means of gaining attention – that`s probably the real reason. Regardless, it`s genuinely damaging the team.
At a critical point, it creates a lack of focus. When you`re contending for a championship, every minor detail is crucial. Yet, since the start of the weekend, this is all we`ve been discussing.
If their aim is to put the team in this state, then they`ve succeeded. However,” he concluded, “this isn`t the way we will win a championship. Certainly not with these types of journalists surrounding us.”
Media coverage of Ferrari in Italy frequently swings between extremes.
Vasseur further stated that the reporting by certain Italian media had become excessive and was counterproductive to Ferrari`s ambitions for future championship success.
“We face this situation daily in Italy, and it`s simply too much,” he remarked. “Honestly, if they genuinely want us to succeed, we need a clean working environment. Currently, that is not the case.
Regarding the person mentioned last year, I had to Google their name just to see their face,” Vasseur shared, illustrating the point. “It`s reached a level where rumors can be spread about someone I`ve never even met. Remember, we`re talking about individuals, not objects. Everyone deserves some respect.”
While acknowledging that speculation and pressure are inherent to the role of Ferrari boss, Vasseur expressed greater concern for the unease it causes among other team members regarding their jobs.
He added, “I was fully aware of the exposure that comes with this role before I accepted it. The problem isn`t really for the team principal; we understand the situation… I believe the real issue in these scenarios is with the team`s staff. Their well-being concerns me far more than my own position.
It`s important to remember that people in every team on the grid work incredibly hard, dedicating all their energy,” Vasseur emphasized. “They sometimes make significant sacrifices for their families. To publish names in the press in this manner is, in my opinion, extremely harsh.
You need to understand that when a journalist claims `Ferrari is hiring this person for this role,` there`s someone currently in that position,” he explained. “That individual on a Sunday evening might think, `Okay, I won`t have a job tomorrow if what`s in the newspaper is true and someone else is taking my place.`”
