Sep.22 (GMM) Frederic Vasseur has hit again at hypothesis Ferrari is bleeding employees, whilst his drivers clashed in Baku over ignored crew orders.
“The story of individuals leaving Maranello is a joke,” the Frenchman snapped.
He was responding to the most recent rumours that the sudden departure of key engine-focused personnel for Audi was a part of a wider shedding of employees to rival groups.
“There’s all the time turnover – within the final 18 months we’ve recruited 60 folks from different groups,” Vasseur insisted.
“I’m satisfied we now have a crew that may win, however clearly we have to enhance in each side. However I’m not afraid of this in any respect. We have to hold pushing and be extra opportunistic.”
The feedback got here on the finish of a scrappy weekend that noticed Ferrari’s tempo collapse simply as rivals McLaren additionally stumbled. “Now we have comparable traits to McLaren,” admitted Vasseur. “Once they shine, we shine, and after they don’t, neither can we.
“Mercedes and Crimson Bull are on the opposite facet.”
However headlines in Baku have been dominated by Lewis Hamilton’s refusal handy P8 again to teammate Charles Leclerc on the ultimate lap. Ferrari instructed the Briton to let the Monegasque by after a late swap, however Hamilton stated he misjudged the timing.
“I solely acquired the radio message shortly earlier than the top,” Hamilton defined. “I lifted off the accelerator and braked, however we missed the mark by about four-tenths. That received’t occur once more. It was simply my mistake.”
He added: “Charles kindly let me by earlier. I used to be so centered on the automotive in entrance that I misjudged it. I’ll apologise to Charles.”
Leclerc, nonetheless, was visibly irritated. “I don’t actually care, as a result of it’s solely about eighth place,” he stated with a sneer.
“However it’s simply silly, as a result of it’s not truthful. There are guidelines about how we act in a swap. They weren’t adopted. However it’s superb – he will be proud of eighth place.”
The 27-year-old downplayed the significance of the incident however admitted the precept stung. “If we’re combating for higher positions, I hope we’ll strategy issues in another way. However on a day like this, truthfully, I don’t actually care.
“We’ve been very sluggish all weekend, and that’s what we needs to be specializing in.”
Seven time world champion Hamilton, in the meantime, has made no secret of his dissatisfaction with Ferrari’s 2025 automotive. “I’d give something for an improve,” he stated. “However we haven’t had one.
“Crimson Bull has made a step, we haven’t. We’re a number of steps behind.”
Leclerc echoed the frustration however clung to faint optimism. “Let’s assume it is going to be very troublesome,” he admitted when requested if he may win a race earlier than the season is out.
