Yesterday at 11:05
The tight bond that has formed between Lewis Hamilton, Charles
Leclerc and Fred Vasseur has been highlighted as crucial for the
future of Ferrari despite the claimed lack of progress under the
Frenchman as team principal. Vasseur, who has been in charge of
Ferrari for two and a half years, came within 14 points of guiding
the Scuderia to its first title in 16 years last season, only to
fall short in the constructors' championship to McLaren. The team
was expected to again take the fight to McLaren this term, in
particular after signing seven-time F1 champion Hamilton to partner
Leclerc. However, going into the upcoming summer shutdown for all
the teams, and although second again in the constructors'
standings, Ferrari is a staggering 299 points behind a dominant
McLaren force, and is without a grand prix victory. Leclerc has at
least scored five podiums; as for Hamilton, it has been a season of
struggle as he is still searching for his first top-three finish,
with his only note of success being his sprint victory in China.
Despite Ferrari languishing so far adrift of McLaren, Vasseur was
rewarded with a contract extension by chairman John Elkann, in
between the recent Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix. Vasseur has
also developed a strong relationship with Leclerc and Hamilton. The
latter has said he would not have signed for the team without
Vasseur in charge. Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 champion, can
appreciate the bond proving vital for Ferrari going forward, even
if he feels Vasseur has not been a success so far. Asked whether
Ferrari had made the right choice in re-signing Vasseur, speaking
to Gazzetta dello Sport , Villeneuve said: "That's impossible to
say, because what really matters in a team is how it works
internally. "If they choose to continue with him, it means that the
drivers are happy to continue working with him and feel protected
by Fred. "The three of them have formed a group, and that could be
good for the future. "However, if we base our assessment solely on
the team's results, we cannot ignore the fact that no progress has
been made and Ferrari has not become successful again with him."
Villeneuve, though, feels a change now would have undermined the
work achieved under Vasseur as Ferrari builds towards the major
regulation change for next season. A newcomer would have been
stepping into the middle of the programme. "It is certainly
difficult to change team bosses when new, highly complex rules,
such as those we will have in Formula 1 next year, apply," added
Villeneuve. "The choice not to change is the easiest one at the
moment. "However, I think the concept of continuity only makes
sense when things are going well: if it doesn't work, it's always
better to change."
