Williams team principal weighs in on Ferrari: “Vasseur is the right man”

A major topic at the team principals’ press conference ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was the media furore surrounding Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur (read more about it here). Ferrari’s senior management and the two drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, had publicly spoken out in support of their team principal in response to rumours of his sacking – and his colleagues also rallied round him.

Just as Vasseur was discussing the negative press coverage and the resulting need for Ferrari’s top management to make a public show of support for him, Williams team principal James Vowles intervened. After Vasseur had answered a question on the matter, the Briton spoke up, even though he hadn’t been asked about it at all. It seemed important to him.

Rivals on the track, but supportive off it

Vowles chimed in: “I’d like to add something to that. Normally, we’re hard on each other and stab each other in the back.” After all, on the track, the team principals are rivals. However, the Williams team principal acknowledges without a hint of envy: “Ferrari are in a better position in the championship than they have been for a long time. This year, they’ve introduced innovations to the car – such as a rear wing and an exhaust system – which we’ve all subsequently copied. The team is performing brilliantly. So for me personally, there’s no question that Fred is the right man for the job.” Ferrari team principal Vasseur is therefore receiving strong support from the competition!

At Ferrari, the lows are even lower

Later, Vowles was asked further questions about Vasseur and the public role of team principals: does Vasseur, as Ferrari’s team principal, face more scrutiny than he himself did? The Briton, who used to be at Mercedes, said: “Of course, that’s hard to say, as I’ve never quite been in that position myself, but from what I’ve read, yes. Basically, I think the difference lies in the fact – and we all know this, let’s be honest – that our jobs are on the line. If we don’t do our jobs well enough, we’re immediately in danger. I think that goes without saying. That’s something you accept when you take on this role. But there is a difference in how you’re celebrated in success and how you’re punished in failure. Generally speaking, that applies to all of us. I’d say – when I read about it, it seems very much viewed from the outside – that in a way it’s excessive when it comes to Fred, and also towards his predecessors in this role. I believe the highs are much higher and the lows much lower. That’s how I see it.”

Ferrari is, after all, a very special team. Alpine adviser Flavio Briatore also backed Vasseur, saying: “Sometimes we need a friendlier media.” Divided by team colours, united in purpose...

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