Leclerc: Vasseur now only getting started after initially evaluating team
Charles Leclerc reckons his Ferrari Formula 1 team principal Fred Vasseur will only now begin to implement necessary changes at the squad after an initial period of observation and analysis.
Vasseur, the former boss of the Alfa Romeo F1 team and Sauber CEO, started work at the helm of the Scuderia in January of this year following the winter resignation of the under-fire Mattia Binotto.
But ahead of a home race for Ferrari this weekend at Imola, the team currently occupies fourth in the constructors' championship. It led rival Red Bull going into last year's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Unreliability, strategic errors and de-tuning the turbos for the latter half of 2022 led to a performance drop-off, while the new SF-23 has so far struggled for race pace and suffers from spikier handling.
But this fall down the order has not sparked any knee-jerk changes from Vasseur, with Leclerc saying the Frenchman will only now heavily intervene, having initially used his time in charge to take stock.
Asked to give an opinion on Vasseur's leadership style and any changes made, Leclerc said: "Well, I think he's just starting this process now.
"Until now, he was basically trying to analyse the situation as quickly as possible in order to do the best changes possible for the future.
"So, I think the big part of the job will be done from now on. So we will see.
"Obviously, I speak a lot with Fred and I know what his middle- and long-term plans for the team are. I'm completely behind him and I trust him fully.
Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal and General Manager, Scuderia Ferrari
Photo by: Alexander Trienitz / Motorsport Images
"I'm sure these are the right choices and it goes in the right direction for the team. So I'm looking forward to it."
Vasseur will have to oversee a restructure of several senior positions at the team, with head of vehicle concept David Sanchez having departed for McLaren.
Meanwhile, Ferrari race director Laurent Mekies must agree on a way out of his long-term contract so that he can replace Franz Tost as AlphaTauri team principal for next season.
McLaren boss Andrea Stella, who moved into the top job at Woking on 13 December 2022 - the same day Vasseur's appointment was announced - has already overseen a major reorganisation of his team's technical department.
This included poaching Sanchez, while Stella has also identified the need to rehire former team sporting director Gil de Ferran as a non-executive consultant to help bolster the McLaren leadership structure.
Why it's too early for AlphaTauri to consider releasing de Vries
Imola F1 paddock evacuated ahead of flood threat
Stella: Spain F1 weekend highlights McLaren's strengths and weaknesses
Stella: Spain F1 weekend highlights McLaren's strengths and weaknesses Stella: Spain F1 weekend highlights McLaren's strengths and weaknesses
Normal Spain F1 round 'exposed' Williams as a "step below" - Albon
Normal Spain F1 round 'exposed' Williams as a "step below" - Albon Normal Spain F1 round 'exposed' Williams as a "step below" - Albon
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Leclerc: Ferrari needs to focus on being at “the peak of our tyres”
Leclerc: Ferrari needs to focus on being at “the peak of our tyres” Leclerc: Ferrari needs to focus on being at “the peak of our tyres”
Leclerc to start Spanish GP from pitlane as Ferrari replaces rear end
Leclerc to start Spanish GP from pitlane as Ferrari replaces rear end Leclerc to start Spanish GP from pitlane as Ferrari replaces rear end
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
Vasseur: Ferrari can fight Mercedes when consistency issue unlocked
Vasseur: Ferrari can fight Mercedes when consistency issue unlocked Vasseur: Ferrari can fight Mercedes when consistency issue unlocked
Ferrari still behind Toyota going to Le Mans, reckons Giovinazzi
Ferrari still behind Toyota going to Le Mans, reckons Giovinazzi Ferrari still behind Toyota going to Le Mans, reckons Giovinazzi
Why Ferrari is struggling and how it can turn its F1 fortunes around
Why Ferrari is struggling and how it can turn its F1 fortunes around Why Ferrari is struggling and how it can turn its F1 fortunes around
Le Mans 24 Hours: Calado puts Ferrari top in final practice session
Le Mans 24 Hours: Calado puts Ferrari top in final practice session Le Mans 24 Hours: Calado puts Ferrari top in final practice session
Ferrari didn’t expect lap time for Le Mans 24 Hours pole
Ferrari didn’t expect lap time for Le Mans 24 Hours pole Ferrari didn’t expect lap time for Le Mans 24 Hours pole
United has to "do something clever" to recover from tough Le Mans qualifying
United has to "do something clever" to recover from tough Le Mans qualifying United has to "do something clever" to recover from tough Le Mans qualifying
Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari locks out front row, Cadillac suffers fire
Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari locks out front row, Cadillac suffers fire Le Mans 24 Hours: Ferrari locks out front row, Cadillac suffers fire
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations
Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations
Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?
Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023? Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule
How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14
How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14 How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.