Ferrari warned even a heavyweight like Horner may not be the ‘magic wand’ it needs

The Prancing Horse finds itself in a delicate phase of the season after a strong first half of the campaign, with Ferrari’s results becoming increasingly inconsistent in recent races and the team often missing out on the podium despite continuing to introduce upgrades.

As a result, Ferrari now has to pay closer attention to the threat from McLaren, which is steadily closing the gap, rather than focusing solely on its title battle with Mercedes.

Speaking to a betting website, the former Italian F1 driver explained that running a modern Formula 1 team is an extremely complex task, with thousands of people working across highly specialised departments including the gearbox, suspension and brakes. He stressed that every individual area must operate at an exceptionally high level for all the pieces to come together and produce a competitive package.

Patrese argued that the margins at the front of Formula 1 are so small that being 100 per cent effective is not necessarily enough to win. If even one department falls slightly short of the required level, it can prevent the entire project from reaching its full potential, making the team principal’s role particularly demanding.

Asked whether Horner could be the answer to Ferrari’s current problems, Patrese acknowledged the former Red Bull team principal’s qualities and said he would trust him to do a good job at the Scuderia. However, the former F1 driver stopped short of suggesting that Ferrari necessarily needs Horner or that replacing Fred Vasseur would automatically resolve its difficulties.

Patrese stressed that Vasseur should not be considered the sole reason behind Ferrari’s struggles, particularly given the enormous expectations surrounding the team. At the same time, he noted that, as in any organisation, the person in charge ultimately carries responsibility when the desired results fail to materialise.

Italian journalist Giorgio Terruzzi has provided further insight into the situation at Ferrari, claiming that Fred Vasseur has been given the nickname ‘Napoleon’ within Maranello. According to Terruzzi’s reporting, the Frenchman’s leadership style has reportedly caused frustration among some members of Ferrari’s workforce, adding another layer to the scrutiny surrounding the team principal during a difficult period for the Scuderia.

Terruzzi also addressed Vasseur’s relationship with Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna, describing it as ‘practically non-existent’. The reported tension at the top of the organisation comes as Ferrari faces increasing pressure over its current situation, with Lewis Hamilton also reportedly pushing for changes to key members of the trackside operation. Any such changes would require Vasseur’s backing, making his position within Ferrari particularly significant.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Vasseur, Ferrari may not have an obvious replacement readily available. According to Terruzzi’s account, WEC chief Antonello Coletta does not want to take on the F1 team principal role, while McLaren’s Andrea Stella is not available. The situation therefore leaves Ferrari facing a complicated decision over the future leadership of its Formula 1 operation.