Vasseur points finger at Italian media over 'enormous negative effect' on Ferrari
Photo: Race Pictures
Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has continued his criticism of the media, particularly the Italian press, stressing that negative reports and speculation surrounding himself or the team often have a significant impact on the people working at Maranello.
Last week, the Ferrari team principal found himself at the centre of one of the fiercest media storms since taking charge of the Maranello-based outfit. An interview Christian Horner gave to The Times intensified speculation surrounding Vasseur's position, placing his future under renewed scrutiny and ultimately prompting Ferrari to issue a public statement reaffirming its full confidence in the team's current project.
Speaking to Canal+, the Frenchman explained that he deliberately distances himself from media coverage and social media, avoiding platforms such as Instagram and Twitter and choosing not to follow what is written about Ferrari.
However, Vasseur stressed that his main concern is not the criticism directed at him personally, but rather the consequences it can have for the approximately 1,500 employees working under his leadership. According to the Ferrari team principal, negative stories involving himself or the Scuderia can affect staff morale when employees arrive at work the following morning, ultimately having a damaging impact on the team's overall performance.
Photo: Race Pictures
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"I don't have Instagram, I don't have Twitter, and I don't read the press. I try to shield myself from all of that. The number one concern is the 1,500 people who work with me and who, whenever something negative is said about me, the team or anything else, feel the impact the following morning. And I think that has an enormous negative effect on the team's results."
Vasseur went on to stress that simply becoming Ferrari's team principal is not enough to fulfil his ambitions, as his ultimate objective remains to bring success back to Maranello. While he considers leading the Italian outfit a privilege, the Frenchman believes that achieving victories with the Scuderia is what truly matters.
He also drew a clear distinction between the negativity that sometimes emerges in media coverage and the unwavering support Ferrari receives from its fans. According to Vasseur, the passion of the Tifosi remains just as strong during difficult periods as it does after victories, with hundreds gathering outside the factory regardless of the team's results. Rather than viewing such expectations as an additional burden, he sees that loyalty as a valuable source of support.
"Joining Ferrari is not the Holy Grail. Winning with Ferrari is. I don't feel I've achieved my ultimate goal at all. Being at Ferrari is great, but winning with Ferrari is even better. There is also a difference between what you might read in the press, on blogs or elsewhere and the attitude of the people, which is always extremely positive.
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"The fans are incredibly passionate. We have hundreds of people outside the factory when we win, but they are also there when we lose. That is not pressure; it is an added benefit."
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